How Pressure on NNPC Pipeline Caused Abule Ado Explosion ..Scores of school girls still missing, as LASG sets up N2billion Relief Fund

...Toddler rescued, three more corpses recovered in rubble

A clearer picture has emerged on what caused the explosion that rocked Abule Ado and its environs last Sunday, which claimed 20 lives, injured several others and destroyed over 100 buildings.

Investigations by security and emergency agencies had revealed that contrary to earlier speculation, the explosion was caused by pressure exerted on the NNPC pipeline by a heavy duty tipper.

According to investigation, the tipper which was fully laden with granite, was parked on the pipeline overnight, thus forcing the content in the pipeline to blow up.

Speaking to journalists, the acting Coordinator, Lagos Territorial Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the pressure exerted on the pipeline could be likened to compressing a coke bottle.

He said: “When the pressure became too much,

the pipeline forced itself out to escape and that was why the sky was filled with grey smoke that led to explosion before the fire.”

Giving an update on the state of rescue operations, Farinloye said aside the three-year-old toddler that was rescued, no other survivor was found on Monday.

He however disclosed that three more bodies-all females, were recovered as emergency workers carried out excavation of some of the collapsed buildings.

Meanwhile, measures have been put on ground to ferret the driver of the tipper, who has since fled to evade arrest. 

It was gathered that although they had initially thought the driver died in the explosion, contrary information by the landlord association in the area said he escaped.

Already, the police have put plans in motion to track his plate number, which would hopefully lead to his arrest.

He disclosed that the stakeholders meeting which was held at government house, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hamzat Obafemi, figures by different emergency agencies were collated.

He said five relief lines have been released for the affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was also at the scene of explosion, has setup a N2 billion emergency relief fund to assist the victims.

 

He said: “To give immediate relief and support to the victims of the disaster, I have set up a N2 billion relief fund to be chaired by Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.

“The state government has put in N250m into the fund immediately. Here are the account details for the relief fund. I appeal to everyone to be a part of helping to provide this much needed relief.

“Here are the account details; Name of Account: AbuleAdo Emergency Relief Fund, Bank Name: Polaris Bank Acct Number: 4030017510.

“Name of Account: Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund, Bank Name: Zenith Bank, Acct Number: 1017184516.

“Name of Account: Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund Bank Name: Guaranty Trust Bank Acct Number: 0568615688.”

In the same vein, a toddler simply identified as Favour was rescued alive from the rubble of one of the collapsed buildings at the Abule Ado explosion.

The three-year-old girl was rescued by operatives of the Red Cross Nigeria.

According to the Chairman Red Cross Nigeria, Adebowale Kolawole, she was recovered naked under the debris of a building.

He said: “She was recovered naked under one of the collapsed buildings. Later we found out that her mother and sibling were admitted in the hospital.

“The mother who had head injury was semiconscious. This morning when she asked for her daughter, the doctors told her that she is safe and with the Red Cross.

“Actually that was what we wanted so that the mother would be at rest psychologically, so that it will not add to the pains that the mother is actually going through in other to save her life.

“As soon as possible, we are taking her to go see her mother at the naval hospital. The little girl’s name is Favour and God has favoured her.”

Aside the rescued toddler, scores of parents are still hunting for their missing children in hospitals in the area and beyond.

Although no figure was given on the total number of school girls from Bethlehem Girls College that are missing, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji told journalists that most of those that were brought to the navy hospital in Navy Town have been released.

Meanwhile, the identities of two of the corpses that were recovered on Sunday were revealed as  Emmanuel Onyemaechi Uyammadu and wife, Chisom, who was heavily pregnant.

The husband, a Banking and Finance graduate of Anambra State University was burnt with his wife, a first class graduate of Zenith University College (ZUC), Accra, Ghana.

In one of the eulogies paid by their friends, one Edozie Chukwu wrote, “He was my very good friend. We also worked together at Aguleri Microfinance Bank before we both resigned to pursue our MSc.

“My mind ran to you immediately I learnt about the explosion at Soba Estate, Abule Ado.  I tried your line countless times hoping you'd pick up and assure me that you and your beautiful wife are safe.

“Sadly, that wouldn't be happening any time soon because death came calling too early. You were a true friend and I would never forget your numerous acts of kindness. Our loss, heaven's gain.”

Prince Emeka Nze said: “I wonder why good people don't last on this earth. Nwa chelsea like we called him during our university days was an angel in human form. Very down to earth. Rip. Uyammadu Emmanuel Nwa-Chelsea rest in the Lord with your dear wife till we meet again.”

Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu had gone on an on-the-spot assessment of the scene.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, what the CP went there to do was to assess the security architecture on ground.

He said: “He went to see the security situation on ground and the crowd control management that was put in place, to know if we should increase manpower.

“It was because of security on ground that deterred scavengers and hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation. Thus the police did not make any arrest because there was no security breach.”

On potentials plans to prosecute those that caused the explosion he said: “We have commenced investigation but note that it’s not only the police that are involved. A committee has been set up.

“So the investigation will take a wholistic approach. It will be a joint investigation involving the NNPC because their pipeline was involved; the NSCDC and other agencies will work together.”