Pipeline explodes in Ibadan, residents blame vandals

An explosion on Saturday rocked the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation pipeline located at Olorunkemi/Alaakia village along Elebu Road in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Residents of the community, situated in Ido Local Government Area of the state, told newsmen that the inferno did not claim and life or property.
They attributed the cause of the fire, which started at 9m, to the recent activities of pipeline vandals, who stormed the area around midnight to perpetrate the illegal act.
Funmilayo Oladele, a resident of the area, told newsmen that she was inside her room when suddenly she heard a very loud sound, which she claimed preceded the fire.
“I had to rush out of the room with my children because we were so scared that we didn’t know what next to do except run away,” Oladele said.
She said the residents had to contact the State Fire Service so that the fire could immediately be put out.
Najeem Adeniyi told the News Agency of Nigeria that the sound of the explosion could be likened to that of a bomb explosion.
Adeniyi said: “We thought it was a bomb explosion and we had to rush out of our different homes.
“Government should do something about it because we know it was the work of pipeline vandals.”
Oyekunle Gafar , Director, Oyo State Fire Services, who led his men to the scene, also agreed that the explosion was caused by the activities of pipeline vandals.
Gafar said: “We rushed down here because of the distress call from the residents that there was an explosion.
“We faced serious challenges as we could not easily have access to the scene of the explosion due to the muddy nature of the road.
“We had to pass the pipe supplying water along the bush to ensure the fire is put out.”
Gafar said they had to work in collaboration with some NNPC officials to put out the fire.
He added: “We brought 37,000 litres of water to the scene and we have exhausted it.
“We have since sent for another supply of water.
“We brought two water tankers: one with 22,000 litres and the other 15,000 litres.
“The NNPC men brought their water too.”
Prof. Joseph Olowofela, the Caretaker Chairman of Ido Local Government Area of the state, told newsmen that he rushed to the scene on receiving the news.
Olowofela said: “Though I have not confirmed the cause of the fire, but I am sure it must have happened due to the activities of pipeline vandals.”
Olowofela called for the combined effort of security agencies and the local government to put an end to the activities of the vandals.