Fuel thieves kill 20 in pipeline blaze

Thieves stealing fuel from a Nigerian pipeline set it ablaze as they fled and at least 20 people died in the fire, police said today.

Police were investigating reports of fuel theft near the commercial capital Lagos on Wednesday when the pipeline fire broke out, said spokesman Emmanuel Ighodalo.

“On sighting the police they set the place ablaze and fled,” said Ighodalo. “It’s sabotage.”

More than 20 people were killed as the blaze spread into surrounding areas.

He said many people injured in the fire are receiving treatment in hospitals in the city.

Nigeria is Africa’s leading oil producer, the world’s seventh-biggest exporter and fifth-biggest source of US oil imports.

Thieves often steal heavily subsidised fuel from pipelines for personal use or to sell across borders where prices are higher.

In 1998, more than 1,000 villagers died when a ruptured petrol pipeline exploded as they scavenged fuel.