Imo: Over 100 lives lost in fire at illegal refinery

Over 100 persons were  reportedly roasted in an explosion that rocked an  illegal refinery sites in the boundary between Imo and Rivers states.

Fyneface Dumnamene, Executive Director, Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) who broke the news  said the incident  occurred at Abacheka, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers state, but Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command, DSP Grace Iringe-Koko clarified that it is, “Not Rivers state, please. It is under Imo state jurisdiction.”

Fyneface asserted that  some residents in Omoku including members of YEAC’S One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta raised alarm over the incident at dawn.

Fineface who shared gory pictures from the razed site of the artisanal refineries narrated, “Specifically, the explosion  also burnt several vehicles that were waiting to buy the illegal products.

Several bodies burnt beyond recognition laid on the ground while others who may have attempted running for safety  were seen hanging on some trees branches.