People Confirmed Dead As Vandalized NNPC Pipeline Explodes In Abule Egba, Lagos [Photos/Video]

Two yet-to-be-identified persons have been confirmed dead on Sunday evening when a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) exploded in the Ekoro area of Abule-Egba, Lagos State.

It was gathered that the suspected cause of the fire incident was due to the activities of vandals, who allegedly ruptured the pipeline in a bid to steal fuel.

As of the time of filing this report, the estimated value of the properties burnt in the fire incident could not be ascertained.

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Oluwafemi Okeosanyintolu, who confirmed the incident, said:

“A raging fire from the explosion of a vandalised NNPC pipeline has caused panic among residents within Awori, U-turn and Pipeline communities in Abule Egba. LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire Service are responding and on top of the situation.

“Two people died, while eleven trucks laden with 40-feet containers were destroyed and about seven buildings have so far been razed down by the inferno.”

Also, the Director-General, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said three fire service stations had been deployed in the area to curtail the fire.

She said: “Yes, a fire incident is ongoing. Three of our stations are present at the scene of the fire incident. The fire is still on but under control. We have deployed personnel from the Agege, Alausa and Abesan fire stations to the area. The cause of the fire incident is still under investigation.”