Explosion rocks NNPC pipeline; ...vandals destroy facility

An explosion yesterday rocked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline at Ije Ododo area of Lagos, after suspected vandals punctured the facility.

The vandalism was said to have caused the explosion, which saw billows of flames engulfing the length and breadth of the pipeline, just as emergency services arrived the scene.


It was gathered that the explosion occurred because the vandals had first tampered with the pipeline before inserting valves, with which they siphoned fuel from the ruptured pipes into kegs.

Confirming the incident, the South-west National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, however, said the terrain initially impeded emergency workers.

He said while they were trying to access the scene of the explosion, NNPC engineers had already mobilized by stopping supplies from flowing after they locked up the valves.
“Vandals struck again on the NNPC pipeline at Ije Ododo line and as at now, NNPC has shut down flows and locked the supply valves to stop further supply feeding the fire.

“Action has commenced to put out the fire this morning after securing access to the difficult terrain, which had proven extremely difficult due to swampy nature of the area,” he added.

To assist the appropriate agencies in doing their work of protecting the pipelines, Farinloye appealed to Nigerians to help the government in safeguarding the nation’s infrastructure.

Credit: Odita Sunday/Nigerian Guardian