Skip to main content

Death toll in Imo explosion rise to 110 — NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that the death toll in Sunday’s illegal refinery explosion in Abaeze community Ohaji/Egbema Local Government of Imo had risen to 110.

Acting Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office of the agency, Mr Ifeanyi Nnaji, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Nnaji said more dead bodies were recovered in Orashi River, near the scene of the incident on Sunday, while some died at various hospitals to increase the total casualty figure so far.

NAN reports that an illegal refinery situated at the Abaeze forest in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government exploded on Saturday and killed no fewer than 100 people.

Emergency workers in Imo led by Nnaji had been on ground since the incident to carry out rescue operations and evacuate dead bodies.

The NEMA boss further disclosed to NAN that arrangements were on to carry out mass burial of the corpses.

When asked the cause of the disaster, Nnaji said “we are yet to ascertain what led to the fire disaster.

“Those who should tell the story and give insight to the incident are all dead, we are still on ground, we will soon come out with a report on the incident”, he said.

Nnaji further appealed to government to create the enabling environment for genuine business to flourish within the oil producing communities in Imo, to discourage youths from engaging in illegal activities.

He also appealed to oil companies in the area to assist government in job creation for their host communities.

ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

EFCC insists on presentation of Grace Tiaga's death certificate in P&ID case

Tiaga's counsel communicated the unavailability of the death certificate, requesting additional time. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is steadfast in its demand for the death certificate of the late Grace Tiaga, a former director of legal services at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, to be submitted in court. Tiaga faced charges brought by the EFCC, alleging her involvement in receiving payments from Process & Industrial Development (P&ID) to manipulate the 20-year gas supply and processing agreement (GSPA) against Nigeria. The EFCC claims that these illicit payments were made through her daughter and persisted even after her retirement. The accusations extend to Tiaga's purported failure to adhere to due process while providing legal counsel on the GSPA. Initially facing eight counts of fraud, she was remanded to Suleja prison in 2019, later granted bail, and the charges were expanded to 13 counts. As the trial progressed, the prosecution p

Buhari may attend Nigeria’s Super Eagles clash with Black Stars of Ghana

The minister said Buhari asked him why he didn't go to Ghana to watch the first leg of the playoff. Sunday Dare, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari may attend the 2022 World Cup Qualifier playoff between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Star of Ghana today. The crucial match will kick off at 6:00 pm Nigerian time. Dare said this president may possibly show up at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja to drum support for the Super Eagles against Ghana’s Black Stars. “I was in Lagos on Tuesday, March 22, and the President asked me why was I not in Ghana and I realized that the President also knows that there is a Ghana match,” the minister was quoted to have said. Dare said the president has not given him 100 percent assurance that he would attend the second leg but he is “ likely going to show up here on the 29th as a surprise.” Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Nigeria Footba

Include us on NIDCOM board, Nigerians in Diaspora tells Buhari

Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) on Monday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to include its representatives on the board of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) in accordance with the act establishing the commission. The Chairman of NIDO Europe, Dr Bashir Obasekola, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Moscow, Russia. Obasekola said that the inclusion of NIDO representatives on NIDCOM’s Board of Trustees would ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the commission and lessen financial burden on the Federal Government. “It is stated in the NIDCOM Act, that NIDO is expected to be the operational outlet outside Nigeria. “We expect that the earlier we came in to be part of strategies and policies, the better for us all. “Such a strategic partnership would strengthen NIDO and place it in a better position to carry out its role as the umbrella organization for the Nigerians in Diaspora. “It will also boost our membership