There was a conflagration at an illegal crude oil refining site at Abaezi forest, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Over hundred youth died while another one hundred and fifty sustained serious degrees of burns in the inferno that began around 11 pm on Friday, according to DAILY POST.
The State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, confirmed the incident, adding that many youths were killed in the inferno.
He added that families of those consumed by the conflagration had retrieved their remains, hence he could not give exact number of the casualty.
He said, “at the moment, I can’t really confirm the number of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many others.”
Opiah said Okenze Onyewoke, the owner of the illegal refinary, had been declared wanted by the government of Imo State.
He described bunkering business as suicidal and warned youth against venturing into it. He disclosed that those engaging in illegal bunkering were from neighboring states
He said, “apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed the acqatic life of the community. Our people before now are predorminantly 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 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.”
An eyewitness, one Mr Eze Ikedi said that residents of the area woke up to see huge flame billowing from. the Abaezi forest.
“People were also scared going close the place but later when people got there, they found out it was over hundred persons that were burnt and one hundred and fifty others who sustained serious burns were rushed into the villages for treatment.” DAILY POST quoted him as saying
He said many of them were rejected by the village health center.