At least three people may have been killed after an NNPC pipeline was gutted by fire at Arepo, Ogun state.
The fire is suspected to have been caused by activities from vandals in the area.
Eye witness report reveal that the fire burns at the same spot where vandals operated last year August and three NNPC engineers were killed by suspected vandals in the process of fixing the pipeline and putting out the fire.
The area has been volatile and has made rescue operations difficult to initiate due to the activities of vandals that has recently turned violent and bloody.
However, the Ogun State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Aboluwaye Akinwande, said he has contacted the line manager of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to stop supply of fuel to the pipeline to prevent further spread of the fire.
Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun NSCDC, Kareem Olarenwaju, said the pipeline exploded after suspected oil thieves vandalised the it.
Mr. Olarenwaju said the command mobilised its officers to the scene of the incident to curtail the possible spread of the fire and likely damages.
He said the fire was noticed by NSCDC surveillance team posted to monitor situation around the place,stressing that the fire might have been caused by vandals activities.
Mr. Olanrewaju said the command earlier received a phone call informing it of pipeline vandalism in the area.
“Our combat team were on their way at about 22.15 when the out-break occurred,the team were instructed to move in by commandant Aboluwoye Akinwande for possible arrest.
“However, no arrest was made as the vandals made their escape through Majidun side of the water ways,” Mr. Olanrewaju said.
He said the Corps Commandant, Mr. Akinwande, was there to have on the spot assessment of the situation,and immediately called on the NNPC to stop supply through the route.
“In due course,NNPC have made us to know that the fire will come down gradually,” the corps spokesperson said.
------IKENNA AGU/DAILY TIMES NIGERIA
Comments