Victor Nkemjika a lawyer took to Twitter to mourn a couple who died in yesterday’s pipeline explosion that rocked the Abule Ado axis of Lagos state. According to friends of the couple, the deceased husband was an only son while the deceased lady was an only daughter of her parents. It was also revealed that the deceased lady was a first class accounting graduate.
There were also unconfirmed reports of a couple and their three children who were driving by at the time of the incident and caught in the huge explosion. It was reported that the couple and their three children who were on their way to church are among the 17 persons confirmed dead in the explosion.
The Director General/CEO LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyimtolu said yesterday that the immediate cause of the huge explosion is yet to be ascertain, he however confirmed the number of casualties.
“17 bodies have been recovered while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries on site. We sympathized with the families that lost their loved ones to the inferno and wish the injured quick recovery. We appeal for calm and urge residents to shun fake news. Operation is still in progress. Updates will continue through the course of operation while investigations remain on going” stated Oke-Osanyintolu.
Several buildings in the area and neighboring communities were affected by the explosion.
Meanwhile, the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed that the explosion which rocked Abule Ado community of Lagos State yesterday was caused by a truck which struck gas cylinders in the community.
Hours before the explosion, a video surfaced of gas flaring #festacexplosion pic.twitter.com/lSpjnHlHJS
— Mola (@mola_akins) March 15, 2020
See the statement in full below;
Abule Ado Explosion: NNPC Says Fire Triggered by Gas Explosion
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Sunday said that the reported explosion which rocked Abule Ado Area of Lagos State in the early hours of the day was as a result of gas explosion which occurred after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near the corporation’s system 2B Pipeline Right of Way.
In a press release signed by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, the corporation explained that preliminary findings indicated that the impact of the explosion was so huge that it led to the collapse of nearby houses and damage to NNPC pipeline on which efforts are being made to curtail the resultant fire.
The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and other top Management of the corporation departed to Lagos this evening for an on-the-spot assessment at the scene of the incident.
Obateru stated that following the report of the explosion, the corporation quickly halted ongoing pumping operations on the Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline which was active at the time.
The release explained that NNPC had already mobilized its in-house combined team consisting of Health Safety Environment experts, Medical and Security personnel from its nearby Satellite Depot in Lagos, even as Lagos State Fire Service was also rallied to extinguish the fire.
The release said more fire firefighting personnel and equipment were mobillised from the NNPC Mosimi Area Office to provide extra fillip to the ongoing operation.
While assuring members of the public and residents of the affected communities to remain calm, the NNPC’s spokesman assured that the temporary shutdown of the petroleum products pipeline would not affect the normal supply of products to the Lagos and its environs.
He said the fire, currently burring at controlled condition, was being fought headlong, saying a detail assessment of the incident was underway to establish the extent of damage to the pipeline.
The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, commiserated with the victims of the incident, praying that God provides them succor at this hour.
Dr. Kennie Obateru
Group General Manager
Group Public Affairs Division
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
NNPC Towers
Abuja
15th March, 2020
Among others, this couple’s lives were lost to the #festacexplosion , I felt the pain. And an insensitive adult who calls herself Titan or Titanic chose to make light of the unfortunate incident. Sad!#festacexplosion pic.twitter.com/42D7KvGUe0
— Tamara (@Tamara_Ebiere) March 15, 2020
This couple lost their lives in today's #FestacExplosion, Lagos.
What shall we say then? Is it safer now to live in Makoko Slum, Ijora or what?
Why would a newly married couple that is expecting a baby choose FESTAC? Safety and Comfort.
May their Gentle Souls Rest in Peace. ? pic.twitter.com/0keyGRvPGL
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) March 15, 2020