Bodies of the vandals evacuated after the recent explosion in Ogun state

 

Many of the vandals who died at the scene of Saturday’s pipeline explosion at Arepo, Ogun State, were evacuated by colleagues immediately after the incident, a source has said.The source said pipeline vandals usually do not leave the bodies of their dead colleagues at the scene.

The source said, “Six canoes were found at the scene. They must have brought people there. Whenever a pipeline explosion occurs, the mode of operation is always to get the

casualty out of the scene as soon as possible.

“The three bodies found probably sank at the time, which was why their colleagues could not recover them and evacuate them immediately. The number of those who died in the explosion could be very high.”

It was learnt that the bodies of the dead vandals found floating in the creeks were retrieved and taken for burial in Majidu, Ikorodu Road, by emergency officials late on Sunday.

NNPC spokesman explained that the damaged pipeline had been repaired while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had even resumed pumping of petrol through it.

Farinloye explained that there was a pipeline explosion at Ije-Dodo, Ojo Local Government Area, on Monday, the same spot where a huge explosion had occurred on December 18, 2012.

“The pipeline was vandalised at two points. The people of 7th Avenue would have been in serious danger if the fuel coming out resulted in a fire outbreak,” he said.

He, however, explained that the vandalised pipeline was being repaired.

On Monday, emergency workers had done their works at the damaged pipeline at Arepo while NNPC officials had finished their repairs. All that remained at the scene were security agents stationed on the way to the creeks.

Although there were unconfirmed reports that vandals who died at the scene numbered about 30, only three bodies were found at the scene on Sunday.