NNPC pipeline explosion scare stirs panic in Lagos
Posted by Olasunkanmi Akoni | 21 December 2019 | 966 times
•A pipeline explosion
Barely
15 days after fire gutted Isheri-Olofin community where a life was lost, men of
the Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency responders raced to the
community again on Saturday morning following a fresh fire outbreak scare.
The
fire alert by residents was, however, discovered, on getting to the site to be
spillage of substance suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, petrol, as a
result of leakage from one of the Nigerian National Petroleum Product, NNPC
pumps in the area, against earlier alert of fire outbreak.
It was
gathered that in the early hours of the day, residents had gathered in panic
following strong smell of petrol which filled the atmosphere sparking off fear
prompting.
According
to an official of the fire service, of the Public Affairs Department, Mr
Shakiru Amodu, when contacted at about 2pm, “Following fire outbreak alert in
Isheri-Olofin area where there was NNPC pipeline explosion few weeks ago, upon
getting to the area, our men who raced to the site could not find any fire
outbreak. Its a hoax. The firemen has returned to base.”
However,
it was gathered official of NNPC had been contacted for further action on the
reported oil spillage in the area. Residents cried out for help, accusing
relevant authorities of irresponsibility.
Recall
that on December 5, 2019, in the early hours, a quiet community in Iyana-Odo,
Isheri Olofin, Egbe- Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, along
Isheri/Lasu -Igando Road, was engulfed in fire following explosion from one of
the vandalized NNPC pipelines in the area, killing an unidentified man, while a
Prophet and another victim sustained high degree burns.
The
fire outbreak whose cause was traced to incessant pipeline vandalism by
unidentified persons caused alot of damages as it burnt the plank bridges that
were built by the communities connecting Isheri-Olofin and Ayobo communities to
ease commuting.
The
pipeline explosion which was said to have started around 7.45 am, spread to
neighbouring communities like: Idowu-Egba plank bridge and Lanre plank bridge
at Omojolowo area. A prophet sustained burnt injury, while one of his
worshipers who were at the stream at Iyana Odo to perform spiritual cleansing
exercise lost his life as he was caught up in the inferno without help.
His
body was later recovered around 11. 15 am by combined team of men of the Lagos
State Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA and
deposited at general hospital mortuary. (Saturday Vanguard)
Source: News Express
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