Explosion in Nigeria's commercial hub displaces at least 276,000

An aerial view shows the central business district in Nigeria’s commercial capital of Lagos, file. /Reuters

At least 276,000 people were displaced following a heavy explosion that rocked the Amuwo-Odofin area of Nigeria's commercial hub and most populous city, Lagos earlier this week.

Director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu told reporters that Abule-Ado and Soba communities in the area were most affected by the devastating explosion on Sunday.

The figure of displaced victims was collated in the two communities, according to Oke-Osanyintolu.

Five schools, three churches, one hotel, and a shopping complex were also destroyed during the explosion.

Also, 170 buildings were damaged in the area as a result of the fire outbreak caused by the explosion. At least 40 cars and three articulated vehicles were also destroyed.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that state governor Babajide Sanwoolu had directed that the displaced people be taken to a resettlement camp in Igando, a suburb of Lagos.

The explosion which wreaked this havoc emanated from gas cylinders which also ruptured an oil pipeline serviced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, the state-run oil firm.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency