Imo explosion: Buhari orders clampdown on illegal refineries

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Sunday in Abuja, described the death of tens of Nigerians on Friday night in the explosion of an illegal refinery in Imo State as a “catastrophe and a national disaster.”

He consequently directed the nation’s armed forces, security, and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries.

No fewer than 100 people were killed on Friday night at around 08:00 pm after an illegal refinery caught fire 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.

According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari reacted to the incident by saying 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 the statement titled “Imo ‘Refinery’ deaths, a national disaster” the President conveyed “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.

He, therefore, 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.

Source: PUNCH

Comments

2023: Atiku shares discussion with PDP Southwest stakeholders, ex-ministers

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has conferred with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the South-West ahead of the 2023 elections. The Friday night meeting had in attendance many party stalwarts and stakeholders, including former ministers. Atiku disclosed that he made a passionate appeal for everyone to work together and return PDP to power next year. “My friends from the Southwest particularly agreed that our party has remained in the opposition for too long in the West. “I’m humbled by their shared belief in my capacity to reunite Nigeria and once again bring the PDP back as a major party in the Southwest”, he said. Present were ex-Jigawa and Adamawa Governors, Sule Lamido and Boni Haruna, ex-Minister Kabiru Turaki, and Business mogul Raymond Dokpesi among others. Atiku, who has contested in three presidential elections, is a major contender for the PDP 2023 ticket. Also in the race are former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Anyim Pius Anyim. The rest incl...

Six soldiers die, 20 injured in Mali terror attacks

Six soldiers were killed and 20 injured in simultaneous attacks targeting three army bases in central Mali Sunday, the army said. Targets in Sevare, Niono, and Bapho were all hit by “armed terrorist groups (who) used suicide vehicles packed with explosives”, the Malian army said in a statement. A group linked to the firebrand preacher Amadou Koufa claimed the attacks, according to audio sent to AFP Sunday from a source close to the suspected attackers. The group, Katiba of Macina, belongs to the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked alliance and the biggest jihadist network in the Sahel. “On Sunday morning, the mujahideen of the Katiba of Macina struck three camps of the (Malian armed forces),” a member of the group told AFP in an audio message. The source said Bapho and Niono were hit, in line with information from Mali’s army. It also said Segou was attacked, which was not among the targets mentioned by the Malian army. "We hit these camps at ...

2023 presidency: Osinbajo submits nomination form

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has submitted his All Progressives Congress, APC, expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the upcoming primary elections. Click on the link below for full details; 2023 presidency: Osinbajo submits nomination form

PEN TO THE WORLD

Search This Blog