Contrary to conflicting reports on the pipeline explosion that took place in Dangodagbe, Niger State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger state command said that no life was lost after the search and rescue operations as at yesterday evening.

A press statement issued on Sunday in Minna by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Yahaya, said that “On the 8th of July 2018 at about 5am, there was an explosion on one of the pipelines of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) located along Dangodagbe village popularly known as Pago under Paikoro Local Government Council of Niger State.

“Another explosion occurred at about 5:30pm which was controlled by the response agencies. The cause of the explosions is still uncertain but experts from NNPC Headquarters are already on the ground to find out the main cause of the incidence,” the statement said.

The statement noted that the NSCDC and other sister agencies including the police, fire service among others have cordoned off the entire village to avert human casualties and protection of properties even as the operation continues.

“However, three persons who sustained severe injury at the scene of the burst pipeline have been evacuated to the hospital for comprehensive medical treatment. Some suspects have been arrested for attempting to scoop fuel from the burst pipelines while some vehicles were also destroyed due to the inferno.

“The NSCDC Niger state command wishes to warn citizens, including villagers and commuters along the axis of the explosion to stay away from the scene for now pending the return of normalcy to the affected areas. Commuters along Minna Suleja road are advised to obey all traffic instructions at this period,” the statement added.