President Muhammadu Buhari has charge security agencies to crack down owners and operators of illegal refineries in the country.
The President who issued the directive in a statement on Sunday through his senior special assistant on media and publicity,
Garba Shehu titled “Imo ‘Refinery’ deaths, a national disaster” reacted to the Imo refinery fire.
Recall that about 100 persons reportedly lost their lives in an illegal crude oil refining site at Abaezi forest, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State while another one hundred and fifty others reportedly suffered grave injuries.
Updates on the tragic incident has it that the death toll has increased to 109 with many others still unaccounted for.
Reacting to the incident, Buhari described it as a national disaster and a catastrophe.
The President said the death of several Nigerians and the destruction of properties are unacceptable and those responsible “must all be caught and made to face justice.”
The statement also conveyed the President’s condolences to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community, and the government and people of Imo State.
He said the community leaders, the police, and other security agencies should strive to prevent the future re-occurrence of such in Nigeria.
