The Head of Operations of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr Ifeanyi Nnaji has said that 109 bodies have been recovered at the exploded Agip pipeline/illegal oil refinery site at Abacheke Kpofire in Egbema community, Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State.
The site which was gutted by fire around 11 pm on Friday also left scores of persons injured.
Nnaji had on Sartuday said only 20 persons died from the fire but in an update on Sunday, he said a total of 109 bodies have been recovered while others were still missing.
According to him “It was more serious than we envisaged. As of this evening, we have counted 109 bodies on the ground while countless others fell into the river and others died inside the refinery.”
The Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, has declared the operator of the illegal refinery identified as Okenze Onyenwoke wanted.
According to him: “I can’t really confirm the number of the deceased because many family members have removed the corpses of so many others.
“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.
He continued, “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.
“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 bereaved family. Imo State Government pray God gives the family of those who lost their lives the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he added.
