Gas cylinders hit by a truck caused explosion in Abule Ado – NNPC

The management of the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has revealed that the explosion
which rocked Abule Ado community of Lagos State earlier today, was
caused by a truck which struck gas cylinders in the community.

In a statement released by NNPC, it was gathered that the gas
cylinders which was hit by the truck were stacked in a gas processing
plant located near the corporation’s system 2B Pipeline Right of Way.

The corporation explained that preliminary findings indicated that
the impact of the explosion was so huge that it led to the collapse of
nearby houses and damage to NNPC pipeline on which efforts are being
made to curtail the resultant fire.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and other top
Management of the corporation departed for Lagos this evening for an
on-the-spot assessment at the scene of the incident.

The statement reads in full;

Abule Ado Explosion: NNPC Says Fire Triggered by Gas Explosion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Sunday said that
the reported explosion which rocked Abule Ado Area of Lagos State in the
early hours of the day was as a result of gas explosion which occurred
after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant
located near the corporation’s system 2B Pipeline Right of Way.

In a press release signed by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public
Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, the corporation explained that
preliminary findings indicated that the impact of the explosion was so
huge that it led to the collapse of nearby houses and damage to NNPC
pipeline on which efforts are being made to curtail the resultant fire.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari and other top
Management of the corporation departed to Lagos this evening for an
on-the-spot assessment at the scene of the incident.

Obateru stated that following the report of the explosion, the
corporation quickly halted ongoing pumping operations on the Atlas
Cove-Mosimi pipeline which was active at the time.

The release explained that NNPC had already mobilized its in-house
combined team consisting of Health Safety Environment experts, Medical
and Security personnel from its nearby Satellite Depot in Lagos, even as
Lagos State Fire Service was also rallied to extinguish the fire.

The release said more fire firefighting personnel and equipment were
mobillised from the NNPC Mosimi Area Office to provide extra fillip to
the ongoing operation.

While assuring members of the public and residents of the affected
communities to remain calm, the NNPC’s spokesman assured that the
temporary shutdown of the petroleum products pipeline would not affect
the normal supply of products to the Lagos and its environs.

He said the fire, currently burring at controlled condition, was
being fought headlong, saying a detail assessment of the incident was
underway to establish the extent of damage to the pipeline.

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, commiserated
with the victims of the incident, praying that God provides them succor
at this hour.

Dr. Kennie Obateru

Group General Manager

Group Public Affairs Division

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

NNPC Towers

Abuja

15th March, 2020