Not more than 100 persons have reportedly died after an illegal oil bunkering site exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday night.
About 50 bodies counted were said to have been burnt beyond recognition at the scene of the explosion, according to The PUNCH.
Confirming the incident, Goodluck Opiah, the state Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, who is an indigene of Egbema, said the state government has declared the owner of the illegal oil bunkering site, Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.
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He advised the suspect whom he said was on the run to turn himself in at the nearest police station.
He said, “This is a sad development. The Imo State Government has declared wanted, Okenze Onyenwoke, who owns this illegal refinery. I advise him to hand himself over to the police or any security agency.
“This is wickedness. This is economic sabotage. It is also destroying our youths. I, therefore, call on the youths to go away from this kind of illegal business. There are so many legitimate businesses one could do to make genuine money.”
An indigene of the community who identified himself simply as Ejike said, “Nobody survived the incident. Those who were rescued yesterday have all died this morning. The casualty figure is over 100.
“This is sad. People are rushing to look for their relations but the unfortunate thing is that the victims were burnt beyond recognition.”
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