Scores of people were feared dead on Friday night after an illegal refinery exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Six vehicles in the vicinity of the explosion were also razed.
At least 50 corpses were counted by newsmen when they visited the grim scene on Saturday.
The state Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, who is an indigene of Egbema, told Punch at the scene that the state government had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.
He advised the suspect whom he said was on the run to turn himself in at the nearest police station.
The commissioner said, “This is a sad development. The Imo State Government has declared wanted, Okenze Onyenwoke, who owns this illegal refinery. I advise him to hand himself over to the police or any security agency.
“This is wickedness. This is economic sabotage. It is also destroying our youths. I, therefore, call on the youths to go away from this kind of illegal business. There are so many legitimate businesses one could do to make genuine money.”
An indigene of the community who identified himself simply as Ejike said, “Nobody survived the incident. Those who were rescued yesterday have all died this morning. The casualty figure is over 100. This is sad. People are rushing to look for their relations but the unfortunate thing is that the victims were burnt beyond recognition.”
A clip of the scene shows several burnt bodies on the ground.
See a video of the tragic scene. WARNING: The clip is graphic.
Chaiii… Jesu
Over one hundred people dead as an illegal refinery exploded at a forest in Abaezi community, Ohaji/ Egbema LGA, Imo state.Congratulations Debo, Oba of benin, At 11, mummy wa pic.twitter.com/0F04utL9Ju
— Marvelous (@IkukuLastSon) April 23, 2022
