Gateway Games: Goods worth millions of Naira destroyed in explosion

 

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta 

Goods worth several millions of Naira were on Tuesday destroyed following a diesel truck explosion that occurred at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, one of the venues for the ongoing National Sports Festival tagged, 'Gateway Games 2024', currently underway in Ogun State.

The explosion, which occurred behind the perimeter fence separating the Handball Court of the Sports Complex and Ijeja community, caused panic among the athletes and spectators in the facility, forcing everyone to scamper for safety.

It was gathered that the explosion was caused by a strange fire ignited from under the diesel-laden fuel truck marked: LND 898 YJ that was discharging its content into one of the storage facilities of the Sports Complex. 

The development forced the driver of the truck to hurriedly move inside and drove the vehicle few meters away from the perimeter fence of the Sports Complex before it exploded and gulped about 17 makeshift shops erected by traders in the area.

Though no live was lost, it was further learnt that gathered that the driver of the truck, whose name could not be ascertained sustained injuries.

One of the survivors, Mrs. Oladehinde Omobolanle, who owned two makeshift shops in the area, said her two shops, where she sells phone accessories, a chemist shop and a POS center were all burnt.

This according to Omobolanle, was in addition to raw cash of about N50,000 that was burnt in the incident.

Meanwhile,  Ogun State government assured all athletes as well as the residents of the state of their safety.

Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, said, while there was an incident involving a diesel tanker that resulted in a fire outbreak, the fire was immediately put out to prevent any damage.

Akinmade commended the promptness and proactiveness of the fire service in the state and the vigilance of officials at the complex, assuring participants at the sports festival of total safety.

"The incident this afternoon involving a gas tanker close to one of our facilities for the National Sports Festival was very unfortunate. We thank God that the fire was immediately put out to avert any casualties.

"To this end, we want to assure all our athletes and the people of the state of safety and that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is under absolute control ", the statement read.