Lagos Pipeline Fire: Another Victim Dies, Parents, Siblings Hospitalised

Matilda Omonaiye/

One of the victims of yesterday’s pipeline explosion in Ijegun, Lagos, identified as Ridwan Afolabi, has died.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the victim, who was hospitalised, alongside his parents and siblings, after sustaining severe burns died this morning.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) had yesterday confirmed the death of two persons in the pipeline explosion.

The agency also said that 30 vehicles were burnt, adding that the total loss would be determined after the situation is brought under full control.

Reports say the fire broke out after suspected hoodlums vandalised pipelines belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

A spokesman for LASEMA said that the explosion occurred when security agencies intercepted the vandals in the act.

His words: “On arrival of the LRT at the scene of the incident, it was gathered that some vandals were engaged in illegal bunkering activities at Fire Junction, Ijegun, within the vicinity where NNPC pipelines were buried.

“The vandals had already siphoned petrol into a 33,000 litres tanker while a second tanker of the same capacity was being loaded when security agencies suddenly intercepted them.

“While trying to escape, some of the siphoned fuel spilled into the drainage and the vandals were alleged to have set the spilled fuel on fire in a bid to deter the security agencies from apprehending them.

“The fire eventually returned to the pipeline point where the vandals siphoned the fuel and exploded with escalating fire which led to two fatalities and over 30 vehicles burnt.”

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