Official says Vandalism Cause of Ijegun Pipeline Explosion

At least 2 persons have been confirmed dead with several others said to be injured following a pipeline explosion in the Ijegun area of Lagos.

People have taken to social media to share videos of the incident, saying the explosion of the NNPC pipeline was due to vandalism.

Ijegun, Lagos State is currently on fire due to pipeline vandalism.

I urge everyone living around that vicinity to move to neighboring town for their safety.

Lagos state fire service are already there combating the fire.#PrayForIjegun ??pic.twitter.com/djPCANx6HX

— Akorede J. Ayanbisi (@theBussmarn) July 4, 2019

Ijegun, fire junction on fire @channelstv @jidesanwoolu @NTANewsNow @PoliceNG pic.twitter.com/O5WzmFKxve

— OMOBA (@ay4rill) July 4, 2019

There is serious fire burning at ijegun Lagos it's still burning right now pic.twitter.com/DQn5L54bOj

— Mayowa Durodoye (@Mayormaxx) July 4, 2019

Ijegun right now..
The pipe line has busted again.
We thank God the fire has reduced. The road to ijegun has been blocked for now
Let's pray for those staying around pipeline and stay safe
But chill did did guy say"what is all this onomatopoeia? "?? pic.twitter.com/jEW1k1Ddir

— first daughter (@d_reflector) July 4, 2019

TVC News reports that a petrol tanker was also on fire.

#IjegunFire
A petrol tanker is currently on fire at Ijegun area of Lagos.
Eye witnesses say the fire started at about 4am. Cars within the vicinity of the fire were also affected. pic.twitter.com/LWl6slkL7s

— TVC News (@tvcnewsng) July 4, 2019

#IjegunFire
An early morning petrol tanker fire which, according to eye witnesses started at about 4am have left several vehicles damaged.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Mgt Agency & the fire service are battling to put out the fire. The area has also been cordoned off pic.twitter.com/oouDnE6fHO

— TVC News (@tvcnewsng) July 4, 2019

An eyewitness, Babajide Lawal, told Punch that they were awoken by the noise of the explosion.

“There is fire incident at Ijegun Last Bus Stop, in fact, no one can move near the place because the whole area is burning. What woke us up was the sound of the  explosion and when we came out to observe what happened, we saw the fire burning everywhere,” Lawal said.

Spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South West Zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, said:

NEMA has also called on the safety unit of the corporation to immediately shut down further supplies through pipeline in order to suffocate the fire.

It is noted that vandals are responsible for the incident and some of them are affected in the inferno.

Security agencies have cordoned off the area to restrict access of undesirable elements. People should remain calm.

An official of the Lagos State Fire Service, Amodu Shakiru, said firefighters were still battling the fire, adding that he could not make any comment yet.