Imo State Government has declared the owner of the illegal refinery that exploded in Abaezi forest, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area killing over 100 persons wanted.
The site is said to belong to Okenze Onyewoke who is currently on the run and is close to an Agip pipeline which exploded around 11 pm on Friday night.
Goodluck Opiah, the State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources during his visit to the scene, said the fire consumed the lives of so many youths.
According to Opiah, Okenze Onyewoke, the owner of the illegal refinery, had been declared wanted by the government of Imo State.
He 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 neighbouring states and it is sabotage for our people to allow this illegal activity to continue.
On the number of persons who died during the explosion, 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.”
