Over 20 persons died and several houses destroyed following an explosion at the Abule-Ado area around Festac town in Amuwo Odofin Local government Area of Lagos state.
The massive blast rocked neighbouring areas, sparking a massive blaze that destroyed nearby buildings including a school.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said that the incident 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.
According to the NNPC, preliminary findings indicated that the impact of the explosion was huge that it led to the collapse of nearby houses and damaged some NNPC pipelines.
Also, the Director-General of LASEMA, Dr Femi Osanyintolu, confirmed that the pipeline had earlier been vandalized by unknown persons.
The Lagos State Fire Service said there were buildings on fire in Ado Soba, Abule-Ado, and Amuwo-Odo.
Sunday’s incident in Abule-Ado is just one of the many explosions, which have somewhat become regular occurrences in Nigeria.
Below is a timeline of recent and major pipeline explosions in the West African nation:
January 19, 2020 – Five persons died in an Abule-Egba pipeline explosion that occurred within the late hours of the day.
According to LASEMA, three adult males, one adult female, and one female child died in the explosion.
December 5, 2019 – This explosion which took place at the Gloryland Estate, Isheri Olofin area of Lagos State, happened about a day after a gas explosion at Four Points in the Oniru part of the commercial center with about two persons burnt to death.
The incident rocked the area early in the morning, causing panic among the residents.
August 30, 2019 – An Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)-operated crude trunk line exploded at the Abura crude line in Otu-Jeremi town, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Channels Television reported that as the oil pipeline exploded, it dumped crude oil into the surroundings of Otu-Jeremi community, and caused tension among residents.
June 22, 2019 – Ten persons were feared dead in a pipeline explosion in Kom Kom area of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Rivers State.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, noted that the pipeline exploded happened during a routine maintenance work by some engineers.
July 4, 2019 – About 10 persons lost their lives with many cars burnt during the explosion after a breach of a fuel pipeline.
It took place early hours of the day in the Ijegun area of Lagos and according to report, over 30 cars were burnt. The inferno was due to vandals who broke open a state-run pipeline to steal petrol.
October, 12, 2018 – On October 12th, 2018, nineteen people died when a pipeline exploded in Umueze community of Abia State.
Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that the incident took place when some residents attempted to scoop fuel from a vandalized pipeline.
July 02, 2018 – A gas pipeline in Ilara near Ogijo area of Ogun State has exploded.
Eyewitnesses say the explosion occurred at about 10:00 pm on Sunday and rescue officials put out the inferno.
November 08, 2016 – A blast rocked a pipeline operated by Nigeria’s state-run oil firm NNPC that feeds the Forcados terminal in the southern Niger Delta energy hub, a community leader and security source said.
June 09, 2016 – An explosion rocked a pipeline operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) at Sanomi Creek, in the Ogidigben area of Warri South West, Delta State, Nigeria.
A security official and a community leader in the restive Niger Delta told Reuters that the pipeline exploded around 8 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) but no death recorded.
March 29, 2016 – According to an environmental group, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), three persons died with many injured as an oil pipeline blew up.
The blast happened as repair works were going on.
May 18th, 2014 – About seven people died and scores of others severely injured in an explosion at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) jetty, in Okrika, Rivers State.
The explosion, which was allegedly caused by petroleum product thieves, happened on Sunday, May 18.
January 12, 2013 – At least three people have been killed after an NNPC pipeline was gutted by fire at Arepo, Ogun state south west Nigeria.
May 15, 2008 – According to the Red Cross, the incident caused by a damaged pipeline in Lagos State, killed about 100.
December 26, 2007 – More than 45 person were burnt to death during this explosion which took place in Lagos State.
December 26, 2006 – According to the Red Cross, about 500 persons died in another explosion at Abule Egba in Lagos State.
The victims were stealing fuel from a buried pipeline which later caught fire.
May 12, 2006 – The Inagbe Beach pipeline explosion in Lagos state led to the death of over 250 people.
September 17, 2004 – The explosion killed over 20 persons following attempts by thieves to steal petroleum meant for the NNPC in Lagos State.
June 19, 2003 – This explosion took place in Umuahia, the Abia State capital after an oil pipeline was punctured by thieves.
It killed 125 persons.
November 30, 2000 – Caused by a leaking oil products pipeline which caught fire in Ebute Metta, Lagos, the incident took not less than 60 lives.
July 10, 2000 – This incident took place near Jesse in Delta State after a pipeline exploded.
About 250 persons were killed as the fire went out of control.
