Illegal Oil Refinery Inferno Where Over 100 Died, Imo Govt Declare Site Owner Wanted

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Following the inferno that engulfed an illegal Oil refinery site at Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State in which about 100 persons were burnt to death beyond recognition on Friday, the owner of the illegal crude oil refining site. Mr. Okenze Onyewoke, has been declared wanted by the State Government.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the state Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, announced this when he visited the scene shortly after the inferno.

The Governor while expressing shock and dismay over the unfortunate incidence, condemned the illegal activity that led to the deaths of 100 people thus, cautioned the citizens against such illegal acts.

It was gathered that apart from 100 people that were burnt beyond recognition, 50 others sustained serious degrees of burns from the incident with six vehicles completely destroyed as a result of the inferno.

Uzodimma said it is difficult to really determine the number of those that died in the inferno as some family members removed the corpses of many of the victims.
The Governor further 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.
“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 the 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,” Uzodinma said.

An eye witness, Mr Eze Ikedi told journalists that the unfortunate incident started at about 11:00 pm on Friday night, adding that the residents of the area woke up to see the huge flame on the Abaezi forest.
According to Ikedi; “People were also scared going close to the place but later when people got there, they found out it was over 100 persons that were burnt while 150 others sustained serious degrees of burns and were  rushed to 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 center when we rushed them there,” he said.