An explosion at illegal crude oil refinery at Abaezi Forest, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State has killed over 100 people.
And the Imo State government has declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyewoke, wanted.
‘The fire outbreak occurred at an illegal bunkering site and it affected over 100 people who were burnt beyond recognition,’ the Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, said.
During his visit to the scene, the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, represented by the State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, expressed shock over the incident and condemned the illegal activity leading to the deaths.
Opiah who hailed from the area, said: “I can’t really confirm the number of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many others,” Opiah said.
“Apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed the aquatic life of the community. Our people before now are predominantly 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.
He continued, “most of the people who are engaging in this act are from Rivers, Bayelsa and other neighbouring states and it is sabotage for our people to allow this illegal activity to continue.
“I wish to appeal to our youths to desist from making themselves available for this illegal act. This is a suicidal business they got themselves into.”
“On behalf of Imo State Government, we condole with the bereaved family. Imo State Government pray God gives the family of those who lost their lives the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he added.
Speaking to newsmen, an eyewitness, one Mr Eze Ikedi said, “around 11 pm last night, the residents of the area woke up to see the huge flame on the Abaezi forest.
“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.”
“The fire covered the whole bush. We saw the people that were inside, many people were trapped inside the fire. Some who managed to come outside later died because many of them were even rejected by the village health centre when we rushed them there.”
Unemployment and poverty in the oil-producing Niger Delta oil producing area have made illegal crude refining an attractive business but with deadly consequences.
Crude oil is tapped from a web of pipelines owned by major oil companies and refined into products in makeshift tanks.
The hazardous process has led to many fatal accidents and has polluted a region already blighted by oil spills in farmland, creeks and lagoons.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre said several vehicles that were in a queue to buy illegal fuel were burnt in the explosion.
At least 25 people, including some children, were killed in an explosion and fire at another illegal refinery in Rivers state in October.
In February, local authorities said they had started a crackdown to try put a stop to the refining of stolen crude, but with little apparent success.
Government officials estimate that Nigeria, Africa’s biggest oil producer and exporter, loses an average of 200,000 barrels per day of oil – more than 10 per cent of production – to those tapping or vandalising pipelines.
That has forced oil companies to regularly declare force majeure on oil and gas exports.