Imo Explosion: Council Boss Accuses Security Agents Of Sabotage
The Interim Management Committee Chairman of the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Marcel Amadioha, has accused security agents of committing economic sabotage in the area.
The chairman’s claim followed Friday night’s explosion at an illegal refinery located in Abaezi forest, Abacheke, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state, which claimed no fewer than 100 lives.
The chairman in a statement, on Monday, after visiting the scene of the incident, blamed security agents of not doing enough to curb the activities of oil bunkers in the area.
He called on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to overhaul the security architecture of the area.
Amadioha said that the tragedy would have been avoided if not for security lapses.
The statement read in part, “I was at the scene of the fire incident and was conducted round the Abaezi forest, Egbema, to mourn the victims and console the affected families of the fire incident and the people of the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area over the Friday’s fire incident that has kept numbers of people dead and scores sustaining life-threatening injuries.
“The incident, which has left myself, the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma, and the people of the state deeply sad, occurred when a pipeline in an illegal refinery camp in a forest in Abaezi, Egbema, exploded, killing many and keeping scores of persons in a life-threatening injury. It is heart-breaking. The government is looking seriously into the matter to critically assess the immediate and remote cause of the incident and ascertain the level of damage.
“The said incident left me deeply sad. I’m deeply touched because it is coming at a time when we are also dealing with all sorts of issues surrounding loss of lives and insecurity in the state.
“It is also unfortunate that the security agents in Ohaji/Egbema are the people masterminding the economic sabotage. I call on the Inspector General of Police and other security chiefs for a total overhaul of the security architecture in Ohaji/Egbema. The unfortunate incident would have been aborted if not for security lapses.
“Life is sacred and when it is taken forcefully, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. To families and friends of victims, I can say it is not only Egbema that is mourning, but the entire Ohaji/Egbema and Imo State. I, therefore, convey the government’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Ohaji/Egbema, especially to the victims.
“We pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this loss. While we can’t restore lives, we are committed to assisting victims as they grapple with this tragedy.
