The Imo State government on Tuesday conducted a mass burial for the victims of the explosion that occurred at the site of an illegal refinery in Abaeze, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
This comes days after over hundred people were killed many of whom were burnt beyond recognition at the scene of the explosion.
Governor Hope Uzodimma was represented at the burial of the victims by the Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Marcellinus Amadioha.
Amadioha described the incident as unfortunate, promising that the government and all relevant stakeholders would ensure to prevent a reoccurrence of such incident.
He explained that the relatives of the victims had come to claim the remains of those they could identify while scores of others were given a mass burial.
“We are here today to do justice as a responsible government,” he told reporters at the scene of the incident.
“People whose corpses cannot be identified because of the explosion; the governor has mandated us to make sure we bury those who cannot be identified by their people.
“There are over 100 people but some of them have been identified by their relations. The remaining – over 50 of them – that nobody could identify, we are here to bury them as humans and a responsible government.”
The local government boss stated that in the meantime, the whole area would be fumigated to enable residents of the community to go to farms and carry out their normal business activities.
Present at the burial included officials of the state ministry of health, Red Cross, NEMA, other government officials, and villagers.
