Baru blames vandals for Ijegun pipeline explosion, orders immediate repairs

Maikanti Baru, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has blamed vandals for the pipeline explosion at Ijegun, a suburb of Lagos state.

At least two persons were killed while 30 cars got razed in the incident which occurred on Thursday morning.

Speaking with NAN on Thursday, Ndu Ughamadu, corporation’s spokesman, said engineers Baru directed to redress the situation are already at the scene of the fire.

“The fire was ignited when some vandals were scooping fuel from the pipeline,” Ughamadu said.

“We urge everybody within the community to remain calm as the situation is under control. Our team of engineers have resumed at the site to bring the situation under control.”

Ibrahim Farinloye, south-west coordinator of NEMA, told NAN that the safety unit of the NNPC was asked to “immediately” shut down further supplies through the pipeline in a bid to suffocate the fire.

“It is noted that vandals are responsible for the incident and some of them were burnt to death in the inferno,” he said.

“Security agencies have also cordoned off the area and residents of Ijegun have been urged to remain calm. Pipeline fire is a specialised aspect of fire managem ent and not all firemen can handle it.The NNPC safety firemen are specially trained to handle such delicate incidents and that is why NEMA immediately asked the NNPC to mobilise its team to the scene.

“It will, however, take time before the inferno can be effectively tackled and supply to the pipeline is weakened and disabled.”