The Director General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu has said they have recovered 17 dead bodies from the Abule Ado explosion while operations are still on-going.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu; “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, recovery and rescue activities were carried by the Ministry of Special Duties ,LASEMA, men of the Lagos State fire service crew, Federal fire service department, Safety Commission, LABSCA and other first responders.
“17 bodies have been recovered while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries on site. We sympathise with the families of the dead and wish the injured quick recovery. We appeal for calm and urge residents to shun fake news.
“Operation is still in progress. Updates will continue through the course of operation while investigations remain ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised residents in the affected area to make safety their priority, urging them to maintain a safe distance from the scene of the explosion and fire as the site is still live.
The Governor also instructed the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) to immediately release personal safety equipment such as face and nose protection masks to be distributed to first responders, residents of the affected area and all safety workers at the ground zero. The safety equipment had been delivered.
A statement by the Governor’s chief press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile said the Governor sent the protective equipment to the affected site to prevent any form of medical hazard such as respiratory infections by the residents who may unknowingly inhale toxic substances from the explosion.
The Governor noted that in a situation like this, there would be a lot of unhealthy substances, gas particuate matters that can affect people’s lungs.
Sanwo-Olu however reiterated the need for the residents to maintain a safe distance as practicable to avoid breathing in polluted air.
The combined safety teams of the Lagos State Emergency Authority (LASEMA); the Lagos Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA); the State Safety Commission; the Lagos State Fire Service; the Lagos State Ambulance Services(LASAMBUS), as well as the Nigerian Civil Defence (NSCDC), the Nigerian Navy and the military are among the State and Federal agencies currently at the scene of the incident to ensure the safety of residents.
