The pipeline explosion witnessed around Ekoro area, Abule-Egba, Lagos, yesterday evening, has claimed three lives (including a minor), several houses and vehicles.
The pipeline, which belongs to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, exploded after some vandals allegedly ruptured the pipeline in a bid to scoop fuel.
Though the estimated value of the property lost to the incident could not be ascertained but sources said several millions of naira have been lost already.
Sources revealed that some residents in the area, who have abandoned their homes, leaving with some vital documents like credentials and property documents, have returned counting their losses.
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In his, condolence messase to the victims, Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu, said, “My thoughts and prayers are with the families & businesses affected in the unfortunate incident at Abule Egba.
“We are thankful for the brave members of LASEMA & our fire service that swung into action working all night to reduce the impact. Pipeline Vandals will be shown no mercy. We must work together to ensure man-made incidents like Abule Egba are avoided. Security and information gathering along volatile corridors will increase and a stronger synergy with communities must happen. We all have a role to play.”
Director-General, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said three fire service stations were deployed in the area to curtail the fire incident.
Reports have it that it took Lagos Fire Service hours to put out the fire.
“After several hours of intense fire fighting by the combined teams of Lagos fire and other agencies, the fire at Ile Epo Ekoro Road, Abule-Egba Inwards Baruwa in Alimosho Local Government Area was successfully put out,” the LASG tweeted at 10.46 am on Monday.
