The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday said that it had recovered two bodies from the scene of explosion involving a vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Ile Epo axis of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Recall that the raging fire from the explosion caused panic among the residents of Abule Egba, Ile Epo and Ekoro Road Sunday night due to the thick smoke emanating from the explosion scene.
Farinloye said that several buildings and articulated vehicles were engulfed in the inferno.
According to him, the cause of the incident had yet to be ascertained, though some reports suggest that vandals trying to siphon fuel illegally had ruptured the pipeline.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Panic in Parts Of Lagos As Vandalized NNPC Pipeline Explodes
Farinloye said that emergency responders were quick to swing into action after receiving distress calls from some residents of the area.
“NEMA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) officials are here. The Lagos State Fire Service officials are here trying to put off the fire.
“We have contacted NNPC to shut down the pipelines and so far, we have been able to recover two bodies,” he said.
The incident was also confirmed by Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director General, LASEMA.
“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, Lagos Fire Service are responding and are on top of the situation,” he said in a statement.
