On the night of Friday, 22nd April 2022, an illegal crude-oil refinery (bunkering) situated in Abaezi forest, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State exploded unannounced, reportedly killing over 100 youths and razing about six vehicles.
In a similar development, reports also had it that countless individuals within the scene of the incident were seriously injured while many were maimed.
During his visit to the scene of the explosion, the following day being Saturday 23rd April 2022, the Imo State Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Goodluck Opiah opined that the incident was very unfortunate, as he described illegal oil bunkering as a “suicidal business”.
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Consequently, while the Commissioner was on his on-the-spot assessment visit, he stated that he could not confirm the actual casualty figure. 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.”
Mr. Opiah went further to disclose that the State Government led by Sen. Hope Uzodinma had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Mr. Okenze Onyenwaoke wanted, hence advised him to make himself available to the police immediately.
“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.
“Apart from this calamity, the act has destroyed the aquatic life in the community. Our people before now were predominantly farmers and fishermen.
“Look around, you will find smoke 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,” said Mr. Opiah.
On his part, a resident of the area who identified himself as Daniel Opara, told newsmen that the majority of the victims in the incident were youth. He said the people were unable to escape because fire covered the whole forest. He said, “I rarely see old people involved in this illegal act. They are mainly youths.”
Mr, Opara, who added that “It is a popular business here. I think they make it there, that’s why they take such risks”, could not say if all the people involved in the illicit business hail from Imo or the neighbouring states.
A video clip taken from the scene of the explosion, which has gone viral on social media, revealed horrible images of the victims and vehicles burnt beyond recognition, littering the entire environment.
It’s noteworthy that oil theft, known as ‘bunkering’ in local parlance, which remains a means of livelihood to many notable Nigerians, has been a source of concern to many well-meaning stakeholders across the country.
The Nigerian government had been reportedly losing an estimated $4 billion annually, due to oil theft activities.
In Rivers State precisely, air pollution, especially the soot in its capital territory, Port Harcourt and its environs, has been attributed to the operation of illegal oil refineries.
Nigeria is indeed the cause of her own plight, to assert the least. The point I’m trying to portray here is that, if the leaders of the country truly intended to eradicate ‘oil bunkering’, it would take no effort to do so.
It’s even more saddening when realized that the various state governments affected by the uncalled and unfortunate practice generate most of their internal revenue from the illicit business via taxation.
For instance, the current Commissioner for Petroleum Resources in Imo State hails from the LGA where the explosion took place in the state. It suffices to assert that he possesses the capacity to identify or fish out the exact individuals involved in the illegal venture.
At this juncture, if your thought is as good as mine, then you would realize that Nigeria’s leaders are actually the problem to Nigerians.
illegal oil bunkering is a crime to humanity. The devasitation it causes to the environment is TERRIBLE!!. Government and private sector should come together and work our modalities of establishing “Modular Refinaries” to engage our unemployed youths positively. Also regulatory agencies should sit up and be proactive in identifying and stoping illegal oil bunkering before calamities like this occur.