Breaking: Abule Ado blast triggered by gas explosion – NNPC
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.
Abule Ado explosion: Sanwo-Olu advises residents to keep safe
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.
#abuleado #Festac #Lagos what a black Sunday. Please if you have anybody living here, please call and make sure they are safe. pic.twitter.com/JTzMEZai7a
— Bam (@D_Bam94) March 15, 2020
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.
"@iam_doctormayor: The aftermath of the Explosion at Festac today. I have never ever seen purple flames in my life before.
— GIDITRAFFIC (@Gidi_Traffic) March 15, 2020
Just look at the wreckage to properties close to the site. THIS is Sick!
#AbuleAdo Explosion pic.twitter.com/HM3Pf820ZC
