Lagos residents in Igando-Ikotun area have raised an alarm over a vandalised pipeline of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) by suspected criminals.
First News gathered that the suspects punctured the pipeline in the early hours of Friday to steal some fuel and left the fuel gushing around the neighborhood.
The petrol contents, according to some of the residents in the area has spilled into the drainages of various streets in the area such as Omoboriowo Street, Old and New Garage Junctions in Ikotun.
The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, while confirming the incident, said there was no loss of life.
He said the punctured part of the pipeline had been blocked by the emergency team that rose to the incident.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was observed a very large volume of PMS was gushing out of the NNPC pipeline at the Omoboriowo Street, Pipeline Bus Stop, Igando-Ikotun Road, Lagos State.
“Further investigation revealed that the heavy flow of PMS was caused by suspected pipeline vandalism and bunkering in the early hours of Friday, August 27, 2021.
“PMS was flowing heavily in the drainage channels connecting Omoboriowo Street, Old Garage Ikotun Junction, New Garage Ikotun Junction, Ikotun Market and Igando/Ikotun LCDA.
“There was no loss of life and property, serious sensitization, public education and awareness is ongoing in the entire community to avoid any form of open flame and burning in order to avoid any form of explosion or any other secondary incident as the entire area has become highly vulnerable.
“Responders at the incident scene are LASEMA, LRU Fire, Lagos State Fire Service, Nigerian Police Force,
NSCDC, NNPC, LASTMA, LNSC.
“Three fire trucks are currently on ground, while the NNPC Maintenance team is working to stop the flow in order to commence repairs.
“The PMS flow from the pipeline has been successfully stopped, while repairs of the vandalised pipeline has commenced. Operations are ongoing, further updates to follow.”