Governor Obi orders 24-hour patrol at Orient Refinery

Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra has ordered a 24-hour patrol and surveillance at the Orient Petroleum Resources Plc at Aguleri-Otu in Anambra East Local Government Area.

The order came on the heels of a recent attack on the refinery which led to the destruction of some facilities.

Briefing newsmen in Awka on Monday, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Joe-Martins Uzodike, said the governor gave the order to forestall further destruction of the facilities.

He said the state government was not happy with the security breach and was already appraising the situation.

He said the extent of damage and casualties were still being collated to address same soon.

He, however, urged the people and contractors to go back to their businesses as normalcy had been restored.

Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of the host community, Igwe Alex Edozieuno, has expressed shock at the magnitude of damage to lives and property by the invaders.

“I personally visited the scene of the attack and was dumbfounded by the gross brutality to the citizens, the company staff and the quantum of damage to property.

“What baffled me most was how the hoodlums were able to wreck such magnitude of damage to life and property undisturbed with the presence of security personnel,’’ Edozieuno, who was at the news briefing, said.

he appealed to the state government and the authorities of the petroleum company to ensure adequate security in the area.

The monarch appealed to the residents of the area to remain calm and eschew any act capable of breaching the public peace. (NAN)