“Besides, several people were injured and have been taken to a nearby hospital,” Abattan added.
According to this spokesman, the fire started around 12:00 local time (11:00 GMT).
The Police have gone to the scene of the incident to establish the causes of the fire, which are still unknown.
The The Nigerian government had warned on numerous occasions of the danger which meant the opening of illegal refineries both for the people who work in them and for the environment.
The oil sector in Nigeria – the largest producer of crude oil in Africa – has been the target of harsh criticism from local communities, who denounce great environmental damage caused by its activities for years, especially in the south of the country.
