Nonsochukwu Uwa, Owerri
Following the explosion that rocked an illegal refinery last Friday night in Abaezi community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State and claimed over 100 lives, the Imo State Government on Monday directed a mass burial for the bodies burnt beyond recognition.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, while commiserating with families who lost their loved ones in the inferno.
The State Government also gave an order to the security agencies to quickly comb the entire forests where the incident happened to arrest the operators of the illegal refineries.
A statement by the Commissioner read: “Imo State Government has condoled with families of victims of last weekend’s illegal refinery fire disaster at Egbema. The Government deeply regrets that more than 70 Nigerians lost their lives in the unfortunate incident even when they were engaged in illegal activities, including sabotaging the nation’s economy.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma has directed immediate evacuation of the charred remains of the victims for mass burial, while the area should be fumigated for environmental safety. The Governor has also assured that Imo State Government will do everything humanly possible to stamp out illegal bunkering and refinery in the state.
“Both operators and patrons of illegal bunkering and refinery have been ordered to seize operation forthwith having realized that the consequences of their actions could lead to mass murder. The Government has directed security agencies in the state to intensify their search for the owners of the illegal refineries and ensure their immediate arrest and trial.”
The statement further directed security operatives “to comb all parts of the state to flush out illegal refinery operators and bunkerers for the safety of citizens and economic growth of Nigeria.”
