Emergency responders are presently in Ikotun, ready to deal with a possible pipeline explosion as “a very large volume of” petrol gushes out of the NNPC pipeline in the area.

“Upon arrival at the incident scene, Omoboriowo Street, Pipeline Bus Stop Igando-Ikotun Road, Igando, it was observed a very large volume of PMS was gushing out of the NNPC pipeline,” said the director-general of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

According to a statement issued by LASEMA on Friday, “further investigation revealed that the heavy flow of PMS was caused by suspected pipeline vandalism and bunkering in the early hours of August 27.”

LASEMA added that there was no loss of life and property, noting that “serious sensitisation, public education, and awareness is ongoing in the entire community.”

“This is to avoid any form of open flame and burning in order to avoid any form of explosion or any other secondary incident,” the LASEMA boss added.

He, however, revealed that the area had become “highly vulnerable due to the heavy flow of the highly flammable PMS.”

The statement further disclosed, “Responders at the incident scene are LASEMA, LRU Fire, Lagos State Fire Service, NSCDC, NNPC, LASTMA and LNSC. Three fire trucks are currently on the ground while the NNPC maintenance team is working to stop the flow in order to commence repairs. Operations are still ongoing.”

(NAN)