The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that the death toll in Sunday’s illegal refinery explosion in Abaeze community of Imo had risen to 110.
More dead bodies were recovered in Orashi River, near the scene of the incident yesterday, while some died at various hospitals to increase the total casualty figure so far.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s security and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries to safeguard lives of citizens.
The president’s directive is contained in a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, on Sunday in Abuja.
The directive followed the reported deaths of tens of people on Friday night, after an illegal refinery exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.
UGORJI EMMANUEL CHINONYE, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OHAJI YOUTHS IN IMO STATE says some of the people involved are from neighbouring states.