More concerned about the number of lives put at risk in the illegal refinery, oil bunkering, and oil snatching businesses that some groups and individuals use as a means to earn a living in Nigeria
The illegal business recently consumed no fewer than 100 lives following an explosion at a location for the illegal refining of petroleum in the state of Imo, located in southeastern Nigeria.
Despite the government’s numerous warnings and arrests of the culprits, many Nigerians blamed the rising number of people recruited into the suicidal act on the extreme poverty, job losses, and high rate of unemployment in the country, despite the rising loss of lives and property accounted for in the illegal act.
However, the recent inferno at Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State has proven that many communities in Nigeria’s south-east and south-south engage in oil bunkering as both youths and elderly people are involved in the act.
Communities engage in bunkering
A statement from the governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, and reactions from some individuals from the region expose the claim that many communities partake in the suicidal crime of oil bunkering.
Mr. Uzodinma, who condemned the incidents while sympathizing with the victims’ families, noted that many of the culprits who engage in oil bunkering and operating illegal refineries in the state are mostly from the neighboring states, with Bayelsa and Rivers States mentioned.
While appealing to people to desist from operating illegal refineries, oil bunkering, and oil snatching, the governor expressed worry about how communities engage in sabotage that allows the practice, considering deaths and loss of properties among the effects of climate change, deforestation, and loss to be incurred in agriculture.
Social Media Reactions
Reactions from Egbema United HQ, a popular Facebook group of the affected community, shortly after the inferno at Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government were scary for the posts of some individuals who point to continuing the oil bunkering.
James Onwusa stated ‘’Egbema to the world whether. good or bad. this one will not stop us we move. one love’’
While Nonso Obikansi replies with comments ‘’Am seeing vision I didn’t known how Egbema will look like if them stop it finally .no help in egbema Land . everyone wants to be on top.lets follow our tradition .it started before us in HOME .it remains’’
Similarly, Mr. Tony Jay replied ‘’Let’s be sincere with ourself here, u guys know that if not for the bunkery business somany would till die and Egbema won’t be at peace now’’
Screenshots from Facebook reactions to the incidents
However, the government must come up with strategies to curtail the number of citizens engaging in this suicidal act by providing a smoother economy and access to opportunity among women and youth
