Ifeanyi Omano, the leader of Rumuekpe community in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State has disclosed that the Friday explosion and fire at an illegal oil refinery claimed the lives of 25 people, including some minors.

According to him, the explosion took place in the early hours of Friday, adding that the people killed were from several communities.

"The casualties involved are very high ... we are counting 25 bodies," Ifeanyi Omano, a community leader, told Reuters.

"We aren't certain of their identities yet," he said, adding that the dead included some minors," he added.

What you should know

Illegal refining is common in the oil-rich Delta region of Nigeria as impoverished locals tap pipelines to make fuel to sell for a profit. The practice, which can be as basic as boiling crude oil in drums to extract fuel, is highly dangerous.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil exporter. Officials estimate it loses an average of 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil - more than 10% of its production - to those tapping or vandalising pipelines. The theft and vandalism contribute to enormous pollution in the region.