NEWS
Tears, Losses As Gas Explosion Ravages Orile Market In Lagos
Tears flowed freely on Sunday as traders at the Orisunmibare Market, off Baale Street in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, counted their losses following a devastating gas explosion that destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira.
The explosion, which occurred around 2:13 p.m., sparked widespread panic in the busy commercial area as thick smoke billowed into the sky and traders ran for safety.
The fire, traced to a gas retail outlet that stored multiple cylinders, quickly spread through adjoining shops, consuming properties and merchandise.
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Although no lives were lost, one person sustained a minor hand injury during the chaos.
An eyewitness, identified simply as Ejem, narrated how he narrowly escaped the inferno.
“I was inside when it happened. There are three filling stations around this area — one opposite my street, another behind it, and a man who has a very big shop where he sells gas. They said one of the boys at the gas shop was pressing his phone when the explosion occurred. The fire spread fast because some nearby traders were also using camp gas,” he said.
For many of the affected traders, the explosion came without warning and left them in despair.
Several stalls filled with food items, clothing materials, and household goods were reduced to ashes before firefighters could contain the flames.
Confirming the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said emergency teams responded promptly to prevent the fire from escalating.
“No lives were lost, except for one person who sustained a minor injury. Our operatives acted swiftly and successfully curtailed the spread of the fire,” she stated.
Adeseye also disclosed that within the same 48-hour period, firefighters battled two other emergencies in different parts of Lagos.
One of the incidents involved a 33,000-litre petrol tanker with registration number AAB-942YC, which collided with a Mercedes-Benz Jeep (LSR 606HX) and seven other stationary vehicles along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway near Berger Car Depot.
The prompt intervention of the Ajegunle and Ijegun-Egba fire crews, she said, prevented another major tragedy.
“The remaining fuel was safely transferred to another tanker, and recovery of the damaged vehicles is ongoing,” Adeseye added.
In another case, firefighters rescued a 55-year-old man who fell into an underground drainage channel along Ikorodu Road, near Idiroko Bus Stop, inward Maryland, Anthony Village.
The victim was pulled out alive after a sustained rescue operation and handed over to the Police for further action.
Adeseye reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to protect lives and property across the state.
“Despite multiple emergencies within 48 hours, all incidents were contained efficiently without loss of life,” she assured.
As calm gradually returned to Orile on Sunday evening, several traders were seen rummaging through the debris, hoping to salvage what remained of their goods. For many, however, the reality of their losses was too much to bear.
“I just stocked my shop yesterday. Everything is gone,” one distraught trader cried as emergency workers secured the area.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he is healthy, sound and ready to resume work after returning to Nigeria from his four-week working vacation in Europe.
Tinubu made the remarks on Tuesday shortly after arriving in Lagos from Paris, France, where he spent the final part of his vacation.
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Speaking briefly after his arrival, the President said he enjoyed the break before assuring Nigerians of his readiness to return to official duties.
“I enjoyed myself,” Tinubu said.
On his readiness to resume work, he added: “Ready to kick, ready to work. There’s nothing wrong.”
The President also addressed rumours surrounding his wellbeing, attributing such speculation to the political environment.
“Well, rumour will always be emanating from politics, but the fact remains I’m here—healthy, sound, and ready to go,” he said.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos at about 6:22 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the end of his European working vacation.
His return comes ahead of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary on October 1, with the President expected to participate in activities marking the occasion in Lagos.
The Presidency had earlier said Tinubu would remain in Lagos for several days for Independence Day engagements and strategic meetings before returning to Abuja.
Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 and spent time in London and Paris during the trip, while continuing official engagements.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has highlighted the completion of the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State as evidence of the Commission’s growing capacity to deliver major infrastructure projects across the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku spoke at the 2026 NDDC Partners for Sustainable Development Conference in Port Harcourt, where he attributed the Commission’s progress to the support and cooperation of its development partners and other stakeholders.
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The Kaa-Ataba Bridge links Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State and is expected to improve connectivity between the communities when opened to vehicular traffic.
According to Ogbuku, the project is among developments that many previously considered beyond the capacity of the NDDC.
“These are things that, in the past, people never believed the NDDC could do. Today, we are doing them seamlessly because of the support we are getting,” he said.
The NDDC boss said the progress recorded by the Commission demonstrated the impact of collaboration between the agency and its development partners.
He thanked stakeholders, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Minister of Regional Development for their support and encouragement towards the delivery of projects across the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku said the achievements also underscored the importance of collective responsibility, in line with the theme of the 2026 conference, “Synergy for Transformation.”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga has highlighted the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC Ltd) latest financial and operational performance, saying the figures offer “some lessons for Atiku” amid the debate over fuel subsidy.
Onanuga disclosed this in a post on X on Tuesday while reviewing NNPC’s key financial performance for 2025 following the release of the company’s audited results.
According to him, NNPC’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 22 per cent to ₦18 trillion, while earnings per share increased by 32 per cent to ₦35.9.
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He said the company’s operating cash flow also grew by 16 per cent to ₦12.8 trillion, while return on equity improved by 200 basis points to 16 per cent.
Onanuga further noted that NNPC declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.
Highlighting the company’s operational performance, he said crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years.
Natural gas output, he added, averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, representing a three-year high.
Oil and condensate production totalled 565.8 million barrels, up five per cent, while NNPC’s equity share increased by 11 per cent to 223.7 million barrels.
Gas production also reached 2,606.2 billion standard cubic feet, up nine per cent, while the company’s equity share rose by 11 per cent to 1,154.9 billion standard cubic feet.
Onanuga then linked the performance to the subsidy debate, arguing against a return to petrol subsidy.
“Atiku’s subsidy programme will certainly kill this company, which could be our own Aramco. Our country has no business taking 100 steps back. Forward ever!” he said.
NNPC Records ₦7.2tn Profit
NNPC Ltd had earlier announced a 33 per cent increase in profit after tax for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.
The company’s profit after tax rose from ₦5.4 trillion in 2024 to ₦7.2 trillion in 2025, while revenue stood at ₦34.5 trillion.
NNPC also reported a 22 per cent increase in EBITDA to ₦18 trillion, a 16 per cent rise in operating cash flow to ₦12.8 trillion and a 32 per cent increase in earnings per share to ₦35.9.
The company declared a ₦5.8 trillion dividend, representing a 35 per cent increase.
On production, NNPC said crude oil and condensate output averaged 1.77 million barrels per day, its highest level in five years, while natural gas production averaged 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day.
The company said the results reflected stronger earnings capacity and operational momentum as it continues to pursue increased production and investment across the Nigerian oil and gas sector.
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