Governor Nyesom Wike has declared 19 suspected kingpins wanted for operating illegal refineries in Rivers State over the weekend especially in Port Harcourt.

The governor also directed the Rivers State Head of Service to query Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for backing illegal bunkering activities.

He ordered that Amakiri should be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In a statewide broadcast yesterday, Wike said the government was resolved to tackle the soot pandemic by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and related activities in the state.

He said following his 2022 message outlining measures to tackle the soot menace, the state Task Force on Illegal Street Trading raided some illegal refining sites in the capital city and made some arrests.

The governor said: “Furthermore, the following persons who have been identified as kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities in their communities have been declared wanted and directed to report themselves to the State Police Command, to whom we have already passed their details.

“Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli;

Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community.

“Also declared wanted are the following persons who are alleged to be in charge of illegal oil bunkering in Isiokpo community: Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi.

“We have also identified those behind illegal bunkering in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts and their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the police.”

He urged residents to report those involved in illegal crude oil refineries and other criminal activities to the agencies already set up at the state and local government levels for immediate action.