At least hundreds persons are feared dead as fire engulfed an
illegal crude oil refining site at Abaezi forest, in Ohaji-Egbema Local
Government Area of Imo State.
It was gathered that about one hundred and fifty others
sustained serious degrees of burns.
Speaking on the ugly development, the State Commissioner for
Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, who represented Governor Hope Uzidinma of
Imo State during his visit to the scene, said the fire consumed the lives of so
many youths.
He said, “at the moment, I can’t really confirm the number
of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many
others.”
Opiah said Okenze Onyewoke, the owner of the illegal
refinary, had been declared wanted by the government of Imo State.
He said, “apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed
the acqatic life of the community. Our people before now are predorminantly
farmers and fishermen.
“Look around, you’ll find smokes coming from this illegal
act. If this is not enough for any person to stop, I think the community is
heading for what I can’t describe.
“Most of the people who are engaging in this act are from
Rivers, Bayelsa and other neigbouring States and it is sabotage for our people
to allow this illegal act to continue.
“I wish to appeal to our youths to desist from making
themselves available for this illegal act. This is a sucidal business they got
themselves into.
“On behalf of Imo State Government, we condole with the
berieved family. Imo State Government pray God gives the family of those who
lost their lives the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
An eyewitness, one Mr Eze Ikedi told our correspondent who
visited the scene that the incident happened around 11 pm last night.
He said that residents of the area woke up to see the huge
flame on the Abaezi forest.
“The fire was even entering the bush,” Ikedi said.
He added that, “we saw the people that were inside, no one
was seen coming out.
“People were also scared going close the place but later
when people got there, they found out it was over hundred persons that were
burnt and one hundred and fifty others who sustained serious burns were rushed
into the villages for treatment.”
He further said many of them were rejected by the village
health center.
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