Black Sunday In Lagos: Buhari sympathizes with victims as 17 confirmed dead
EHIME ALEX with Agency Report
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with victims, families and the Lagos State Government over the Abule Ado pipeline explosion that rocked the state in the early hours of Sunday.
In his Twitter page, @MBuhari, president Buhari said, “I received with sadness the news of the explosion in Lagos, which caused loss of lives and property. While the NNPC makes efforts to determine the cause of the incident, I send my deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and the Government and people of Lagos State.”
Giving on the spot assessment of the situation, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that 17 bodies have been recovered while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries sustained in the pipeline explosion.
Oke-Osanyintolu who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in an interview, however appealed for calm.
He urged residents of Abule Ado to shun all forms of fake news concerning the explosion.
“We the LASEMA Response Team arrived at the incident scene and it was discovered that a raging fire had displaced several residents who fled their abodes for fear of being caught up in the inferno.
“The primary cause of the explosion is yet unknown.
“There are a number of secondary explosions which have caused significant damage to multiple buildings including the levelling of a Church to the ground and the destruction of St. Margaret’s Girls Hostel.
“The causes are yet to be determined, while security agents are investigating the cause of the explosion,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
He noted the recovery and rescue activities were being carried out by the Ministry of Special Duties, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service crew, Federal Fire Service Department, Safety Commission, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other first responders.
Oke-Osanyintolu assured that, operation which is still in progress, would continue through the course of operation, while investigations remain on going.