Addax Petroleum confirms one dead in bomb explosion at its Izombe flowstation

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Addax Petroleum Development Nigeria Ltd on Friday said a suspected vandal died in Wednesday’s explosion at its flowstation in Izombe, Imo state.

The oil firm in a statement on Friday by a spokesperson Mrs. Awatt Etta said an unexploded explosive device and the corpse of the suspected vandal were found at the incident site within its Oil Mining Lease (OML) 124.

Addax said it was collaborating with regulatory agencies and security agencies in ongoing investigations into the incident.

“At about 01:15am on May 4, 2022, an explosion occurred along a trackroad leading to one of the well heads at Izombe Flow station in OML 124.

“An immediate search was conducted,  and unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and a corpse were found at the scene. 

“Government Security and Regulatory Agencies were promptly notified  incident. The Police Bomb Disposal Unit have detonated the IEDs and deposited the corpse at the mortuary.

“Details of the incident are still sketchy, but it is suspected that the bomb which   detonated   and   caused   the   explosion   was   being   carried   by   the deceased who is yet to be identifed.

“We   are   currently   working   with   relevant   authorities   investigating   the incident. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” Addax stated.

The Spokesman for Police Command Imo CSP Mike Abattam who also confirmed the incident said Police has reinforced security in the area.