Chairman of Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chidi Lloyd has called on Governor, Nyesom Wike to declare a state of emergency on illegally oil refining activities popularly known as “Kpofire” in Ibaa community.
Lloyd, who made the call at a press briefing Today, alleged that every home in Ibaa community has a dump site for illegal crude.
According to him, Ibaa has over 176 illegal oil sites, noting that scores of persons were burnt beyond recognition in one of the villages in Ibaa community, as a result of the illegal act, on Tuesday.
He accused security operatives of working with illegal oil refiners, and that almost all the chiefs in the area are part of it.
Lloyd, explained that there is a strong resistance from the people, adding that the air in Ibaa is polluted.
He also said with the total number of persons involved in the crime it appears he is the only one against the act.
The council chairman who explained that ending the crime would be difficult, reiterated his administration’s committement to fighting the menace.
