- Their bodies are charred because the cause of the fire is smuggled fuel
- It occurred at a border close to Nigeria
No fewer than 34 people were killed when a contraband fuel dump burst into flames in southern Benin near the border with Nigeria, a government official said on Saturday.
“A serious fire occurred in the town of Seme Podji,” Interior Minister Alassane Seidou told reporters.
“Unfortunately we have 34 deaths including two babies. Their bodies are charred because the cause of the fire is smuggled fuel.”
In another news, WithinNigeria reported that in recent months, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe has taken decisive action, successfully eliminating over 30 illegal oil refining sites in the areas surrounding Cawthorne Channel and Bille in Rivers’ Degema Local Government Area.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, shared this significant development through a statement released on in Abuja.
The strategic air strikes were a crucial part of the ongoing efforts to combat oil theft and clamp down on operators of illegal oil refining sites. By targeting these sites, the aim was to prevent further damage to pipelines and the environment caused by these illegal activities.
Gabkwet highlighted that on Friday, four active illegal refining sites in Cawthorne Channel were successfully destroyed. These sites were equipped with dug-out reservoirs and surface storage tanks suspected to contain illegal refined products.
Continuing their mission, the air strikes extended to Bille on Saturday and early Sunday. During these operations, three illegal oil refining sites,