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.
SEE MORE: Panic In Zaria As Tankers Explosion Leaves Four Injured
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.
The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has honoured former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, for his enduring contributions to science, innovation and the development of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.
At a colloquium organised in his honour, the company highlighted Nnaji’s more than two decades of involvement in the growth, governance and international recognition of the Prize, describing him as one of its earliest advocates and a key figure in its evolution.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Adeleye Falade, represented by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said Nnaji had remained a pillar of the initiative since its inception in 2004.
ALSO READ: NUPRC Gives Licencees 90-Day Deadline to Meet Conditions
According to Horsfall, the renowned engineer and academic has provided intellectual leadership, strategic direction and sustained advocacy that have helped shape the Prize’s vision, strengthen its credibility and advance its role in promoting scientific innovation and national development.
She recalled that Nnaji delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Grand Award Night held in Abuja on October 9, 2004, where he spoke on “Leapfrogging Science and Technology in Nigeria.” She noted that the address reinforced the founding objective of the Prize and helped raise awareness of the initiative among scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders.
Sahara Group is convening policymakers, industry leaders, investors, academia, and media professionals to advance practical solutions for Africa’s evolving energy landscape.
Scheduled for Wednesday, July 22, 2026, in Lagos, this year’s Asharami Square, a flagship thought leadership platform, is themed “Energising Africa’s Future: Legacy, Impact, and Transformation.”
The platform will spotlight the ideas, partnerships, and policy frameworks required to accelerate sustainable energy development across the continent.
ALSO READ: NUPRC Dangles 50 Oil, Gas Blocks Before 143 Investors at Bid Conference
Building on the success of previous editions, Asharami Square 3.0 will examine how collaboration across government, industry, finance, and the media can unlock investment, strengthen infrastructure, and expand access while supporting Africa’s energy transition.
According to Bethel Obioma, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, the platform reflects Sahara Group’s commitment to driving impactful conversations that translate into real outcomes.
“Africa’s energy future will be shaped by the strength of our partnerships and our ability to turn dialogue into action. Asharami Square continues to provide a platform for convening diverse perspectives, advancing informed discourse, and driving the decisions that will influence policy, investment, and long-term development across the continent.
As we look Beyond XXX, our focus remains on investing in the ideas, partnerships, and platforms that will help shape a sustainable energy future for Africa.”
Also speaking, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, emphasised the importance of grounding energy conversations in context and practical realities.
“Africa’s energy transition must be defined by solutions that reflect our unique realities. Asharami Square plays a critical role in bridging technical expertise and public understanding, ensuring that conversations around energy, sustainability, and development are anchored in evidence, context, and impact.
Through initiatives like Asharami Square, we continue to advance our Beyond XXX philosophy by supporting credible dialogue and strengthening the ecosystems that drive sustainable progress.”
The event will feature a keynote address by Sadiq Wanka, Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Power Infrastructure, alongside a high-level panel including Professor Abigail Ndisika, Director, Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), University of Lagos; Temitope George, CEO, Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC); Adebiyi Olusolape, Associate Editor, Africa, Argus Media; and Kemi Awodein, Managing Director, Investment Banking, Chapel Hill Denham.
A key highlight of this year’s programme will be the unveiling of the Asharami Square Energy Reporting Fellowship Judging Panel, reinforcing Sahara Group’s commitment to strengthening credible, solutions-focused journalism that deepens public understanding of Africa’s energy transition.
Since its maiden edition in 2024, Asharami Square has facilitated informed dialogue and effective media advocacy to enhance energy transition and sustainability in Africa.
Through the platform and the newly launched Asharami Energy Reporting Fellowship, Sahara Group continues to advance its Beyond XXX vision by investing in the ideas, people, and platforms that will help shape Africa’s energy future, while reinforcing its commitment to bringing energy to life responsibly.
Critical stakeholders are lamenting that fuel importers, licensed by the Nigerian government, are selling imported premium motor spirit (PMS) also known as petrol around N200 per litre, above what local refiner, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) is selling.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) noted that the importers including Matrix, AA Rano, Hayden among others have started pricing imported petrol significantly above the rates offered by the DPRP, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the government’s import licensing policy.
IPMAN’s National Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Ukadike, said independent marketers had expected the import licences to serve as a check on domestic fuel pricing but are now shocked to find out that the policy had failed to deliver the desired outcome.
“The independent marketers of Nigeria have looked at the price volatility, the issue of the import license, the issue of sales of petroleum products and dollar, and holistically I will want to use the opportunity to urge the federal government to look into this thing transparently through NMDPRA, who is the authority of the industry,” he said.
According to him, the recent import licences issued to marketers have not helped reduce fuel prices as anticipated.
“The recent import licenses, which are termed to be used as a guiding principle or a check to domestic petroleum products being refined here in Nigeria, is not yielding the results as was expected by the independent marketers,” he stated.
Ukadike expressed surprise that some importers were reportedly selling imported petrol at about N1,350 per litre, despite lower prices from the DPRP.
“We were shocked, even as I am talking to you now, that the licenses that have been given to AA Rano, Matrix and all the rest of them to be able to import petroleum products are trying to peg the price of petroleum products at N1,350, which is far, far distant from what Dangote has been selling to us,” he said.
He further questioned the quality and pricing of imported products, insisting that the policy was undermining the purpose for which the licences were granted.
“The essence of NNPC or NMDPRA or the federal government opening up this import license is also to checkmate the domestic price of petroleum products, whereas where we find out that these products are being brought into this country, one, their qualities are questionable, two, their prices are higher,” Ukadike added.
The IPMAN spokesman also warned that continued fuel importation at higher prices was increasing pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange market, with the naira approaching N1,400 to the US dollar.
He argued that imported petroleum products priced using the international PLATTS benchmark were about 20 percent more expensive than products supplied by the DPRP, making imports less competitive.
Ukadike urged the Federal Government to sustain the sale of crude oil to the Dangote refinery in naira, saying the arrangement would help stabilise domestic fuel prices, reduce demand for foreign exchange and ease pressure on the local currency.
He also cautioned against what he described as the indiscriminate issuance of import licences, warning that such a policy could ultimately lead to higher pump prices for consumers instead of promoting competition.
NLNG Celebrates Nnaji’s Contribution to Science, Innovation
NUPRC Gives Licencees 90-Day Deadline to Meet Conditions
Lokpobiri Credits PIA with Ending Arbitrary Oil Blocks Allocation
NUPRC Urges Prompt Compliance, Awards 37 Oil Blocks
Petrol Loading Resumes as Depot Prices Climb
Sahara Group Drives Africa’s Energy Future with Asharami Square 3.0
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
r2k56g
Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for information approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the best I’ve found out till now. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the source?
I am not certain the place you’re getting your info, however good topic. I must spend some time learning more or figuring out more. Thanks for great information I was searching for this information for my mission.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
I truly enjoy studying on this website , it has got wonderful posts.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be mindful of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as other folks consider worries that they plainly do not realize about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , other folks can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks