13 December 2015, Lagos – Barely three days after the petrol tanker explosion that wreaked havoc in Ojuelegba, Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State Government has revealed how a cigarette stub from a yet to be apprehended smoker ignited the fallen fuel tanker that spilled its contents.
This came even as Lagos State Government reassured residents of the readiness of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to ensure the Yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities across the metropolis.
The tanker laden with 33, litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, which exploded after spilling its contents on the road at about 2 am last Saturday, razed over five cars and buildings built along the canal.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni. who was represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, Waidi Ayilara and other agencies, disclosed this at a joint media briefing to address various issues concerning safety and protection of citizenry during and after the Yuletide period.
Oladejo lamented that the danger of indiscriminate dropping of cigarette stubs or fireworks, especially at this period poses a great challenge and could lead to fire outbreaks.
He said, “An example of this threat was the recent Ojuelegba tanker accident, where someone reportedly dropped the left-over of a cigarette into a canal where the spilled content spread to which ignited the fire. This was immediately combated by the State fire service and other responders.”