News

Vehicles Razed, Several Killed As Illegal Refinery Explodes in Imo, Police Order Probe

Published

4 years ago

April 24, 2022

Eric

No fewer than 100 people were killed on Friday night after an illegal refinery went up in flames at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

Also, six vehicles were razed during the incident which threw the community into mourning.

Hundreds of people, Sunday PUNCH observed, visited the scene of the incident on Saturday to have a glimpse of the unfortunate development.

Our correspondent counted no fewer than 50 bodies burnt beyond recognition at the scene of the fire explosion, which was said to have happened at about 8pm.

The state Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, Goodluck Opiah, told our correspondent at the crime scene that the state government had declared the owner of the illegal refinery, Okenze Onyenwoke, wanted.

He advised the suspect whom he said was on the run to surrender himself at the nearest police station.

The Commissioner said, “This is a sad development. The Imo State Government has declared wanted Okenze Onyenwoke, who owns this illegal refinery. I advise him to hand himself over to the police or any security agency.

“This is wickedness; this is an economic sabotage. It is also destroying our youths. I therefore call on the youths to go away from this kind of illegitimate business. There are so many legitimate businesses one could do to make genuine money.”

An Indigene of the community, who identified himself simply as Ejike, told Sunday PUNCH that every person at the illegal refinery site was killed in the explosion, adding that over 100 people lost their lives in the incident.

Ejike added that those who survived the explosion and were rushed to the hospital died on Saturday morning.

“No single person survived. Those who were rescued yesterday have all died this morning. The casualty figure is over 100. This is sad. People are rushing to look for their relations but the unfortunate thing is that the victims were burnt beyond recognition,” Ekije said.

Another indigene of the community, who identified himself as a local security operative, said people came from the South-East and South-South states to buy the illegal product in the community.

He said, “People come from Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra, Abia states, even from Onitsha, to buy the product. It is a very active bunkering site. People come here in hundreds and the owner is a big man.

“This bunkering is sited right in the forest so that they will have liberty to do the illicit business. People troop from far and near to buy the product.”

A community leader, who refused to mention his name ostensibly to avoid been attacked by the syndicate involved in illegal oil refining in the area, lamented the environmental hazard caused in the communities by the illicit business.

He said, “Our community is in serious trouble. The level of environmental hazard is unbearable. Do you know that our crops are affected by this bunkering business?

“Do you know that our water now has taste as a result of this illegal bunkering? Do you know that even our cassava is affected by this activity? This is a campaign even you the media people have to help us fight. Our health, environment and means of livelihood are endangered.”

Also, the spokesman for a vigilante group in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Godknows Nkem, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

The incident happened at a location between Abacheke and Abaezi communities.

Videos and pictures of the incident were already awash on the internet.

It was gathered that some of the victims were caught by the fire while they were running and trying to escape.

Unidentified burnt bodies littered the area even as family members were seen moving away the remains of their loved ones.

A community leader and President-General of the Supreme Council of Oil and Gas Producing Areas in Imo, Chief Collins Ajie, described the incident as ‘unfortunate’.

“It is unfortunate. A tragedy no one dreamt of where about 108 people got burnt beyond recognition due to illegal oil bunkering. The state and Federal Governments should step up efforts to stop this illegal bunkering because it has claimed many lives from Ohaji/Egbema and other Niger Delta areas.

“It’s shocking to see these bodies lying down here. Most of them are bread winners of their families. Most of them are young promising people, undergraduates and graduates,” he said.

The community leader noted that the Imo Government had some time ago made efforts to stop this illegal business, but it yielded no fruit.

According to him, some arrests were made, and some trucks and some boats impounded and burnt, yet it had not been able put the situation under control perhaps as a result of the involvement of high calibre individuals involved in the illegal trade.

He advised the state and Federal Governments to step up efforts at ending the illegal business.

“On our way coming, you could count about 34 checkpoints awaiting the illegal bunkerers and traders. So, If we have that figure and this illegal bunkering continued on a daily basis, then they have questions to answer,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr David Chibuike lamented that he was at the site in search of the remains of his elder sister.

“I heard the information about the incident and I had to rush down because my sister, who was married to someone in this community, was involved. I came to identify her body but couldn’t recognize her here,” he said while shedding tears.

He also called on government and security agencies to put an end to the illegal bunkering to prevent such huge loss of lives.

The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Muhammed Berde, has ordered investigation into the Friday night’s fire outbreak at an illegal refinery located in a forest at Abaezi community in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of the state which claimed no fewer than 100 lives.

Speaking to our correspondent in a telephone conversation, the police spokesperson for the Command, Micheal Abattam, told our correspondent that the cause of the fire outbreak had not been ascertained.

He therefore disclosed that the CP had order an investigation for the cause of the inferno be unravelled.

The Punch

News

Disu Inaugurates Committee for Implementation of State Police

Published

2 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Eric

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police and the rollout of his policing vision, following his confirmation as the 23rd indigenous IGP.

TVC reports that Disu held his first formal engagement with senior police officers since his confirmation, days after the Nigeria Police Council unanimously ratified his appointment, clearing the way for his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Professor Olu Ogunsakin was appointed to lead the eight-member state police committee.

Addressing the top hierarchy of the force, the IGP said leadership is “not about position but responsibility,” stressing that professionalism and accountability must guide conduct and operations across commands nationwide.

He emphasised that authority is strongest when exercised with restraint and that respect for human rights must remain fundamental, adding that every Nigerian should be treated with dignity, fairness, and justice, regardless of status or background.

Disu also announced plans to strengthen internal oversight, directing that the Public Complaint Unit and X-Squad be empowered to operate independently.

On decentralisation, he said the move would allow different levels of government to play an active role in security.

The inauguration of the state police implementation committee comes at a critical time for the Nigeria Police Force, following a leadership change at the top.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as the Acting Inspector‑General of Police on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.

Disu’s elevation followed a meeting between the outgoing IGP and the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and his appointment was later unanimously endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council.

He is expected to be formally sworn in as substantive IGP during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Disu’s appointment comes amid heightened concern over security challenges across the country, including rising cases of kidnappings, banditry, and community attacks.

The state police initiative championed by the current administration is part of broader security sector reforms aimed at decentralising policing powers to enhance responsiveness at local levels.

News

Senate Rescinds Resolution Seeking Sack of Magaji As CAC Registrar-General

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

The Senate Committee on Finance, on Monday, rescinded its resolution seeking to remove the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Mr. Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), from office.

The committee, which is chaired by Senator Sani Musa, had on Thursday last week called on President Bola Tinubu to sack Magaji for ignoring parliamentary invitations to give an account of the operations of his agency.

But, at its resumed sitting in Abuja on Monday, the committee reversed itself after Magaji showed up, expressing remorse for his actions and apologising to the lawmakers.

It was the Chairman of Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Jibrin Isa (Kogi-East), who came to Magaji’s rescue by moving a motion, urging the committee to rescind the earlier resolution.

He was seconded by Katsina-North senator Nasir Musa Zango Daura.

However, before he got a reprieve, Musa criticised Magaji over his conduct, noting that he had no regard for the Legislature.

He stated, “This committee is not happy with you for your persistent refusal to appear before it in the past or sending junior officers to it. That’s not acceptable.

“The constitution grants us oversight powers over all revenue-generating agencies. At our last sitting, the committee recommended your removal, but you appeared shortly after our pronouncement.

“We want an explanation.”

Magaji immediately apologised for his behaviour, pleading that such would not be repeated again.

He blamed the development on communication breakdown, which he would address by establishing a liaison office at the National Assembly to improve interactions between the two sides.

“Mr Chairman, I sincerely apologise to the committee. I was returning from Lagos and asked my team to inform the committee ahead of time. Unfortunately, I arrived late.

“We have now created a dedicated liaison office to handle interactions with the National Assembly. I assure you this will not happen again. I take full responsibility and hold this committee in high esteem,” he added.

His show of remorse led to the withdrawal of the resolution with a warning not to ignore legislative invitations next time.

During last Thursday’s sitting, the committee had accused Magaji of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.

“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.

“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.

Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” Musa said as the committee passed the resolution.

A former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had moved the motion for his removal.

News

NELFund Extends Deadline for Student Loan Applications Nationwide

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has extended the deadline for student loan applications following a surge in nationwide interest driven by its ongoing sensitisation campaign across the country.

The extension comes after an earlier notice issued by the Fund announcing that the student loan application portal would close on February 27, 2026.

The Director, Strategic Communications of NELFund, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, who conveyed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said growing feedback from students, tertiary institutions, and other stakeholders prompted the management to grant additional time to enable more eligible applicants to complete the process.

NELFund explained that the decision was informed by the sharp increase in applications and inquiries recorded in recent weeks, as awareness of the Federal government’s student loan scheme continues to expand nationwide.

According to the Fund, the extension is aimed at accommodating students who require additional time to finalise their applications, as well as prospective beneficiaries who only recently became aware of the programme during nationwide sensitisation engagements.

The additional window would also support institutions newly commencing their 2025/2026 academic session and those yet to submit verified student data required for processing applications.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFund, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to tertiary education financing.

He noted that the extensive sensitisation campaigns conducted across the six geopolitical zones significantly boosted awareness and participation in the scheme.

“Our sensitisation efforts have increased nationwide participation.
In line with our mandate to expand access to tertiary education financing, we have approved an extension to ensure all eligible students have a fair and equal opportunity to apply,” he said.

NELFund further advised institutions that have not commenced the 2025/2026 academic session to formally request an extension, accompanied by their approved academic calendar, for consideration by the Fund.

Students were strongly encouraged to utilise the extended period to complete their applications through the official NELFund portal before the final closure date.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable student financing initiatives aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria.