Agbakoba Demands Coroner’s Inquest Into Death of Rivers Fire Victim -

A fresh call has been made for an independent investigation into the death of Joy Amos, who died after suffering severe burns in a fire and explosion in Bille Community, Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative has petitioned the Rivers State Magistrate’s Court, seeking a coroner’s inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding Amos’ death.

The group is also asking the court to approve the exhumation of her remains for forensic and post-mortem examinations to establish the medical cause of death and determine whether the injuries sustained in the incident contributed to her death.

Amos died on September 21, 2026, at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, where she had been receiving treatment following the September 3 fire and explosion allegedly linked to gas leakage in Bille.

Dr Olisa Agbakoba, Chairman of the Niger Delta Environmental Justice Lawyers’ Network, said the inquest was necessary because the death was unnatural and required an independent examination of what happened.

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The petition seeks answers on the alleged gas leakage, the cause of the fire and explosion, the extent of Amos’ injuries, the treatment she received and the immediate and underlying causes of her death.

The group also wants relevant medical records, including treatment notes, laboratory results, imaging reports and other documents relating to Amos’ injuries and death, presented before the coroner.

The Network further called for an independent forensic investigation, permanent sealing of the source of the gas seepage, temporary relocation of affected residents, emergency healthcare, environmental restoration and compensation for Amos’ family and other affected residents.

It also urged authorities to conduct a health impact assessment of Bille Kingdom, amid allegations that residents had been exposed to hazardous gas seepages and emissions for more than a year.