The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has explained what caused the explosion that rocked Abule Ado in Lagos on Sunday.
The NNPC said the explosion was caused as a result a truck that hit some gas cylinders in the area.
POLITICS NIGERIA earlier today reported that many homes were burnt following the incident. According to Channels Television, at least 15 deaths have been recorded in the incident.
In a statement signed by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Kennie Obateru, NNPC said the incident 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.
Following this development, he said the agency swiftly mobilized its in-house combined team consisting of health, safety and 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.
He also confirmed reports that indeed many homes were damaged beyond recognition. In addition, the explosion caused serious damage to an NNPC pipeline.
“The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, commiserated with the victims of the incident, praying that God provides them succour at this hour,” the statement said.
This newspaper understands that neither the NNPC nor the fire service and the police have spoken on the numbers of casualties.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolence to the families of victims who lost their lives in the explosion.
