Illegal Refinery Owners Must Be Held Responsible For Deaths ― Presidency

The Presidency, on Sunday, insisted that the owners of the illegal refinery that exploded in Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, must be held accountable for the deaths that occurred.

A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) said President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries following the reported deaths of tens of people Friday night at the illegal refinery.

According to the statement, reacting to what he described as a “catastrophe and a national disaster,” President Buhari said responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “who must all be caught and made to face justice.”

In conveying “the condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma” to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community and the government and people of Imo State, the President urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service to never allow the occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.