Victor EzejaImo State Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba has said owners of illegal oil refineries in the state belong to a criminal cabal but the government is making frantic efforts to nab them and halt the illicit business.
The commissioner gave the hint at Channels TV SunriseDaily talk show on Tuesday morning, while highlighting roles of the state government so far in management outcome of the recent fire incident at an illegal oil refinery in the state.
An illegal refinery was razed on Friday night at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, killing no fewer than 100 people, and torched about six cars within the scene.
Emelumba who said the state government was aware of the existence of illegal oil bunkering businesses in the state, observed that a lot of people have been patronising them.
“Illegal bunkering has always been there, and everybody knows that and efforts have always been made to stop them. But you know, it’s like a black market thing, and as much as we make effort, they may find a way to continue with what they are doing. Unfortunately, a lot of people patronise them.”
He disclosed that efforts are being made to stamp them out, adding that many arrests have been made in the past by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in collaboration with the state.
He said the state government set up a security committee that works to ensure that the illicit business stops, adding that two persons who own the illegal refinery that got burnt have gone into hiding and are being hunted by security agencies.
Emelumba said there will be a mass burial for the victims today as they were burnt beyond recognition.
Head of operations, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Imo State, Mr. Ifeanyi Nnaji who described site of the incident as a gory scene, said the death toll currently is 110.
He disclosed that the illegal oil bunkering is at the middle of the forest and the explosion occured at the peak of the refining business.
Nnaji said NEMA officials are still conducting search and rescue operations, noting that there is possibility of having more victims.
He said survivors of the fire accident are currently in different hospitals receiving medical care but could not give specific figure of their number.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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