LAGOS, Nigeria (CNN) - Between 150 and 200 people died on Friday in an oil pipeline explosion in the outskirts of the Nigerian city of Lagos, Nigerian officials say.

Vandals are thought to be the cause of the explosion, and all of them were killed, according to police in Lagos.

Special Reportfull coverage Oil climbs above $78 on inventory decline Oil rises on surprise inventory drop Exxon's drilling juggernaut Oil climbs above $74 Oil pares gains, settles lower Oil rises on weaker dollar

"People insist on breaking into these installations in order to steal petrol in the pipes and it's difficult to man every pipeline in the country," said Nigerian government spokesman Femi Fani-Kayode.

"We don't have the people or resources and I don't think anyone in the world does."

The fire which resulted from the blast has been extinguished and Nigerian police officers have secured the scene.

"A number of villages were involved and came to assist and help our security agents," Fani-Kayode said.

Despite the oil riches, much of Nigeria's population remains impoverished and people often tap into pipelines crossing their lands, seeking fuel for cooking or resale on the black market.

The highly volatile petroleum can ignite, incinerating those collecting it.

In September 2004, an oil pipeline exploded near Lagos as thieves tried to siphon oil from it, with up to 50 people perishing in the flames. A 1998 pipeline blast killed more than 1,000 in southern Nigeria.

---------------

Click here to check oil prices.