President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered a clampdown on illegal refineries following the explosion of an illegal crude oil refinery in Abacheke Kpofire in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State that claimed many lives.
An explosion had rocked the Agip pipeline/illegal oil refinery site around 11 pm on Friday, leaving 109 persons dead and many others injured.
Describing the incident on Friday night as a national disaster, the president directed the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said sponsors of the illegal refinery in Ohaji Egbema should be held responsible for the death of over 100 persons and the loss of properties in the area.
According to the statement, the president said the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “must all be caught and made to face justice.”
Buhari, while conveying his condolences to the affected families, the government and the people of Imo State, urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service not to allow the occurrence of the breaking incident in any part of the country again.
According to reports, the owner of the refinery has been identified but is currently at large.
