LAGOS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A rescue official on Sunday said the morning pipeline explosion at Abule Ado axis of Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, was unconnected to pipeline vandalism.

Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), who confirmed this to Xinhua in Lagos, said the explosion was heard in many parts of the state and several buildings, including schools, were damaged.

He, however, said the explosion was not caused by a disruption of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) oil pipeline.

Farinloye, NEMA's acting coordinator in Lagos, said contrary to information earlier put out on the social media, the explosion which occurred at about 9 a.m, local time, was unconnected to pipeline vandalism.

"From the information given by officials of the Lagos State Fire Service who are currently on the ground, the implosion is not connected to pipeline but might have occurred in a factory located in the Abule Ado area," he added.

"Emergency responders are on the ground while others are still on their way to the scene. The situation is under control and we hope to get more information soon to ascertain its cause," he said.

Farinloye said the NNPC had shut down the pipeline passing through the area as a precautionary measure after the oil company was notified of the incident. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)