ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY INTERVENTION AT ABULE ADO GAS /PIPELINE EXPLOSION IN AMUWO ODOFIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAOF LAGOS STATE
DAY I
1.0 INCIDENT
1.1 The Agency received a distress call at about 9.00am on 15th March, 2020.
The incident was relayed to the Command and Control Center by bystanders via the emergency toll free line 112/767. This led to the activation of the Agency’s Emergency Response Plan and mobilization of the first responders to the incident scene
- 0 CAUSE OF INCIDENT
After a preliminary investigation of ground zero and questioning of witnesses in the vicinity, it was ascertained that the pipeline explosion was caused by a truck which appeared to be stuck attempting to cross over the pipeline. The already exposed and damaged pipeline seemed to have been leaking fumes and gases from the petroleum products flowing through as confirmed by the community who said they have been smelling the gas leak. We speculated that the heat generated from the tires friction ignited the gas which found its way into the pipeline that was flowing PMS at the time. The resulting blast was devastating evident by the scale of damage to the area.
2.1 Upon the arrival of the LRT at the incident scene, it was discovered that a raging fire had displaced several residents who fled their abodes for fear of being caught up in the inferno. The primary cause of the explosion is unknown. There were a number of secondary explosions which have caused significant damage to multiple buildings including the leveling of a church to ground zero and the destruction of St Margaret’s Girls Hostel. The causes are yet to be determined while security agents are investigating the cause of the explosion.
3.0 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS
3.1 The Agency’s Response Team led by the DG/CEO mobilized to the incident scene and were joined by men of the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Army, Lagos State Neighborhood and Safety Corps, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation ,Red Cross and officials of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area. The combined team of responses at the incident scene cordoned off the incident scene, carried out sensitization and enlightenment of residents to mitigate against any secondary incident. The responders combated the fierce inferno that resulted from the explosion and curtailed it from spreading to adjoining buildings in the environs. The spirited efforts of the responders eventually led to the successful putting out of the inferno at about 3.00pm before the search and rescue of the trapped victims from collapsed buildings.
4.0 Mr. Governor was on ground with some top State Government functionaries to have a firsthand view of the disaster and condole with the victims.
5.0 LOSSES & DAMAGED PROPERTY AND ASSETS
5.1 The unprecedented explosion caused wanton destruction to public infrastructure and private properties unfortunately 17 fatalities were recorded while a total number of 57 people were rescued; 47 of whom have been discharged while 10 are still receiving treatment for minor and major injuries at various hospitals. 170 houses were affected as followed 93 mildly affected, 44 moderately affected and 33 severely affected, 8 schools were severely affected which include:
Bethlehem Girls College,
Gani Adams Road, Abule Ado,
Grace Academy -Olusoo Akinbode Street, Sabo Town,
Kosmos School-Hycinth Madukwe street,
Rosmand Schools-Late Colonel Adekunle Close, Soba Town,
Lindave Schools-Gani Adams Road,
Precious Schools-Back of Beckonlight School, Abule Ado.
AUD Primary School-Besides Government Technical College, Ado Soba ,and Michlion School-Fashola Street, Soba Town.
Similarly, 6 Churches and a mosque, 1 shopping complex, a Hotel and 43 vehicles were severely damaged by the explosion.
DAY II
1.0 The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu constituted a committee to supervise all efforts in the area co-chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadiri Hamzat and the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Bamgbose-Martins.
2.0 Information and counselling desk were established to cater for relatives and friends that loss their beloved one in the explosion.
3.0 Enumeration of internally displaced persons was carried out with a total of 376 IDP and 2 missing.
4.0 Relief camp was opened for the displaced victims.
5.0 Visitation of the Rt. Honourable Speaker of House of Representative to site to commiserate with the affected victims of the explosion
6.0 Search and rescue operation continues.
7.0 3 An additional 3 bodies were recovered from the debris which were deposited at Nigeria Navy Hospital Mortuary while search and rescue operations continued through the night illuminated by the recently acquired LASEMA lighting towers provided illumination at the site.
DAY III
1.0 Julius Berger officials and Chinese Engineering Construction Company joined the team at site.
2.0 Demolition of the affected buildings continue and carting away of debris also continues.
3.0 Enumeration of internally displaced persons continues.
4.0 ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE AGENCY AND LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT:
4.1 Immediately after the emergency call was received and the response by relevant agencies to control the area and put out the resultant inferno from the explosion, the rescue operation and clearing of the site for residual dangers by the Agency and its relevant stakeholders’ commenced.
4.2 Mr. Governor was on ground with some top State Government functionaries to have a firsthand view of the disaster and condole with the victims on Sunday 15th March 2020 at the site.
4-3 Constitution of a committee to supervise all efforts in the area co-chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadiri Hamzat and the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties, Engr. Bamgbose-Martins by Mr. Governor.
4.3 At the behest of His Excellency the Agency in collaboration with Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area carried out rapid assessment and enumeration of the affected victims.
4.4 The rapid assessment and the enumeration showed that 33 buildings were severely affected, 44 moderately affected and 93 mildly affected by the explosion while 437 victims including children were internally displaced from their abode and as well lost their belongings which include household appliances, beddings and means of livelihood creating a humanitarian crisis within the neighbourhood.
4.5 Subsequently, His Excellency directed that the State Governments relief camp in Igando be opened to accommodate the internally displaced victims. The IDP’s are being evacuated to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Relief Camp, for rehabilitation and care to enable them recover from the physical, psychological and emotional trauma caused by the disaster.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu
Director General/Chief Executive Officer (LASEMA)
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