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.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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