The alleged owner of the illegal refinery that was gutted by fire resulting in the death of many men, women and children in Egbema, Imo State, one Okenze Onyewoke, has been declared wanted by the government of Imo State.
This is according to a report credited to the Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, who represented the state’s Governor Hope Uzodinma, during a visit to the scene of the tragedy.
Opiah, who said he could not confirm the exact number of those who died because many family members had rushed to remove the corpses of so many of those they believed to be their relatives, lamented that the tragic incident had far-reaching negative consequences.
Apart from the lives of the mostly young men and women that have been lost to the ravenous flames, he lamented that the aquatic life of the community and farmlands had also been destroyed.
Before the tragedy, he noted, the people of the area had been predominantly fishermen and farmers, stressing that it will take a long time before the damage done to families, to the community and to the environment can be reversed if at all that is possible.
GPNews had reported that a video of the calamity that is currently online shows the charred remains of many men, women and children as well as burnt vehicles scattered around the scorched scene of the fire.
As many as a hundred people are believed to have died in the fire while many more sustained different degrees of injuries, especially burns.
The state government and the Police authorities are said to have activated necessary machineries to apprehend the alleged owner of the illegal refinery as well as clear the area of the remains of the dead.
Oppiah, on behalf of the government commiserated with the families of the bereaved and counselled youths of the area never to go be part of any illegal petroleum products refining activities, stressing that it literally amounts to attempting suicide. He also alleged thatmany of those behind the illegal refining business were from Rivers and Bayelsa states.
“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 suicidal 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,” he said.
