How domestic gas explosions wiped out members of two families in Delta - Newstrends
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How domestic gas explosions wiped out members of two families in Delta

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1 year ago

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How domestic gas explosions wiped out members of two families in Delta

Alphonsus Agborh writes on cases of domestic gas explosions in Delta State and the urgent need for safety awareness and proper handling of LPG cylinders.

The frequency in which domestic gas explosions occur in the country, nay, Delta State, has brought the need for domestic gas safety awareness and proper handling of LPG cylinders to prevent such tragedies to the front burner.

 The devastating loss of family members in such incidents serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers posed by everyday appliances when handled without proper safety knowledge.

 Gas explosion had indeed left indelible marks in the hearts of those family members who are fortunate to be alive, notwithstanding the high degree of burns they suffered and are now contending with. In most cases, human mistakes are the major causes of the explosions. For instance, using outdated or leaking cylinders or igniting matches when one perceives odour of gas could be a threat to gas users.

  In Delta State, gas explosions have claimed family members in two devastating occurrences this year, throwing communities and neighbourhood into mourning.

 For the family of Sir Sylvester Orukpe Ubhimhinye, a resident in Ekpan in Uwvie Local Government of Delta State, a native of Ohordua in Esan South East Local Area of the state, the preparation for the birthday celebration of their daughter, Ann Obehi, who had recently secured a visa to travel abroad ended on a tragic note recently. The man, his wife and daughter died following injuries they sustained in the gas explosion that rocked their residence in the oil city precisely on May 30, 2025.

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The neighbourhood was turned into mourning as residents, helplessly, watched the thick smoke that was coming out of the kitchen and unable to rescue the victims who eventually got burnt beyond recognition.

 The explosion was said to have occurred when the man attempted to connect a burner to a smaller LPG gas cylinder while another cylinder was already in use in the same kitchen. This led to a gas leakage that ignited, sparking an instantaneous explosion that engulfed the kitchen and nearby areas in flames.

 The mother, Lady Esther, 67, who was stepping out of the bathroom when the explosion occurred, died on the spot owing to the severity of the blast while Ubhimhinye and their daughter sustained critical burns. They were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where they later passed on.

 In a similar incident, a family of six was wiped away in Agbor, Ika North-East of the state recently when a cooking gas exploded. The victims were identified as Mr. Favour Akpevweta, his wife, three children and a sister-in-law.

The fire started after the gas with which Mrs. Akpevweta was cooking exploded.

An eyewitness account said that  Mrs Akpovweta was outside the compound in the evening when she noticed that something was burning in the kitchen. She was said to have rushed inside and entered the kitchen with a burning candle, which triggered the explosion.

The eyewitness further said Mr. Akpevweta, who was in the sitting room with his children, managed to run out of the building but died some minutes later due to the severe of burns he sustained.

These incidents, no doubt, call for caution on the part of users of gas cookers. Because of its highly inflammable nature, cooking gas of liquefied natural gas (LPG) needs to be handled with extreme caution. The gas cylinder, especially including gas cooker, must be well maintained and ascertained that it is in a good condition before being used to refill the product.

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According to the director Delta State Fire Service, Mr Eugene Oziwele, gas cylinders that are corroded, sandpapered and repainted are prone to explosion.

While condemning the attitude of some persons who usually refill their cylinders to the brim, the chief firefighter counselled that cylinders should be kept outside the house.

 “As you sandpaper and repaint cylinders, the thickness of the metal is being reduced. That is one of the major issues,” Mr Oziwele explained.

 Another issue, according to him, is the ignorance of those filling their cylinders to the brim.

“Gas is always in a random motion. If you have a 12kg cylinder, you don’t fill it with 12kg. You give some space. But people who refill their cylinders from these roadside sellers will fill them to the brim, which ought not to be. There should be room for airspace because of the random motion of the molecules.

 “Again, if not for security issues, gas cylinders should not be kept in the house; it should be outside. Then you run the pipe from the outside to inside of your house.

 “It is important to note that once you perceive any little smell of gas, you don’t light anything. You don’t even switch on your electricity.”

Mr Iziwele warned that even using the torch from mobile phone is very dangerous during a gas leakage.

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 “The worst of it is using the torch of your phone;  it is equivalent to striking a match where there is leakage of gas,” he explained, admonishing users of gas cookers not to attempt managing their cylinders or faulty cookers.

“If you discover your cylinder or gas cooker is having issues and you want to manage it, it is like sitting on the keg of gunpowder. You don’t manage anything gas because, once it happens, it is always explosive.

“And the difference between camping gas and the other is limited quantity of content. But camping gas can also explode if there is leakage or if the cylinder is weak. Once a weak cylinder is sprayed, you cannot get the same texture like when it was bought,” Izewele explained further.

 Mr John Perede Akpoyibo, an engineer, safety advocate and community development leader, attributed the Warri and Ekpan explosions to the use of multiple gas cylinders in a confined space and the absence of safety equipment such as gas leak detectors and fire extinguishers.

 Akpoyibo, who has been vocal about domestic safety, described the explosion as a completely avoidable tragedy, emphasising the urgent need for increased public education on the safe use of LPG gas in Nigerian homes. He called for safety campaigns and community training, stressing that every household must understand the risks involved in improper gas handling.

“This is not just an unfortunate incident, it is a call to action. We must stop playing with fire. The use of LPG must come with education, preparation, and prevention,” Akpoyibo urged.

How domestic gas explosions wiped out members of two families in Delta

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Traffic Alert: Lagos Announces Diversion as Oke-Afa Bridge Undergoes Rehabilitation 

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August 25, 2026

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Traffic Alert: Lagos Announces Diversion as Oke-Afa Bridge Undergoes Rehabilitation

Motorists plying the Oke-Afa Bridge in Isolo will face phased traffic diversions from Friday, August 28, as the Lagos State Government announces a three-week traffic management plan to facilitate the rehabilitation of the bridge.

The rehabilitation, scheduled to run from August 28 to September 18, 2026, will be executed in two phases to minimise disruption and keep traffic moving around the busy Isolo-Ejigbo axis.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the traffic plan in a statement on Monday, urging motorists to plan their journeys ahead and comply with directives from traffic management personnel.

According to him, the first phase will run from August 28 to September 11 and cover the outbound Isolo-to-Ejigbo section of the bridge.

During the period, motorists travelling from Isolo towards Ejigbo will be diverted onto the Isolo-bound carriageway from Pako Roundabout, where traffic will operate in both directions before rejoining the main carriageway at Mobil Filling Station.

Motorists travelling from Ejigbo towards Isolo will retain access to their route but will share the carriageway with Ejigbo-bound vehicles between Mobil Filling Station and Pako Roundabout. They will regain full access to the road after the roundabout.

The second phase will commence on September 12 and end on September 18, covering the inbound Isolo section of the bridge from Ejigbo.

Osiyemi said motorists travelling from Ejigbo towards Isolo would, during the second phase, be diverted onto the Ejigbo-bound carriageway from Mobil Filling Station, with traffic moving in both directions before rejoining the main carriageway at Pako Roundabout.

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Traffic from Isolo will continue to move while sharing the carriageway with Isolo-bound vehicles between Pako Roundabout and Mobil Filling Station, after which motorists will regain full access.

The commissioner said the temporary closure and diversions were necessary to enable the rehabilitation works to proceed safely and efficiently.

He explained that the project is being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works, through the Office of the Federal Controller, Lagos, in collaboration with Messrs. Strabic Construction Limited.

To minimise congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow, Osiyemi said the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would deploy personnel to the affected axis throughout the rehabilitation period.

He added that an emergency tow vehicle would also be stationed in the area to promptly remove broken-down vehicles and prevent avoidable obstruction.

The commissioner appealed to motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic management directives and make appropriate adjustments to their travel plans during the three-week period.

He assured road users that the traffic management measures were designed to minimise inconvenience while allowing the rehabilitation of the strategic bridge to progress without unnecessary delays.

 

Traffic Alert: Lagos Announces Diversion as Oke-Afa Bridge Undergoes Rehabilitation

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Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash: Seven killed, two injured in three-vehicle collision

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40 minutes ago

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August 25, 2026

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Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash: Seven killed, two injured in three-vehicle collision

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash: Seven killed, two injured in three-vehicle collision

Seven people have been killed and two others injured in a fatal road crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

The accident occurred at about 12:03 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026, along the Ibafo-Lagos corridor at Kara, Ibafo, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Sector Command.

The crash involved three vehicles: a white HOWO CNG/CIMC ENRIC truck, a white MACK trailer and a Mitsubishi Canter with registration number JJJ920YA.

The FRSC said nine people, all male, were involved in the crash. Seven died from injuries sustained in the accident, while two others were injured.

According to the statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Afolabi Odunsi, the FRSC Ibafo Outpost received information about the crash at about 4:04 a.m. and arrived at the scene five minutes later.

The agency classified the incident as a fatal multiple road traffic crash, identifying speed violation as the probable cause, although it stressed that the finding remains subject to further investigation.

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Preliminary reports on the circumstances surrounding the collision indicated that a speeding truck hit another truck, which subsequently rammed into a stationary truck. However, the FRSC has not presented the sequence as a final finding pending the completion of its investigation.

The deceased victims were evacuated from the scene by the Ogun State Ambulance Service, while the two injured victims were taken to a medical facility for treatment.

The three vehicles involved in the crash were later handed over to the Motor Traffic Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Ibafo for further investigation and necessary action.

The latest incident has renewed concerns about road safety on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a major transport corridor used by thousands of motorists and commercial vehicles daily.

The Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists to exercise greater caution and comply with established road-safety rules.

Ogunjobi particularly advised drivers of articulated vehicles to avoid excessive speed, maintain safe following distances and remain vigilant while driving.

He also urged motorists to take extra precautions when driving at night, noting that reduced visibility and fatigue can increase the risk of road crashes.

The FRSC commiserated with the families of the seven people who lost their lives in the accident and wished the two injured victims a speedy recovery.

The agency reiterated the need for motorists to prioritise safety, observe speed limits and adopt defensive driving practices to reduce the frequency of fatal crashes on Nigerian roads.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash: Seven killed, two injured in three-vehicle collision

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LASG Moves to Fix Ikotun Junction, Seeks Community Support

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42 minutes ago

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August 25, 2026

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LASG Moves to Fix Ikotun Junction, Seeks Community Support

Lagos State Government has commenced consultations with stakeholders in Ikotun ahead of the planned improvement works at the Ikotun Junction, a major intersection linking Ijegun, Isolo and Idimu roads.

The stakeholder engagement, held on Friday at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Igando/Ikotun Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat, was aimed at securing community support and addressing concerns ahead of the project’s execution.

The intervention is expected to improve traffic flow, enhance road connectivity and promote more orderly movement and commercial activities within the Ikotun axis.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, said the engagement underscored the importance the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu attaches to transportation, traffic management and orderly physical development.

Olumide said the project would deliver significant benefits to residents and businesses by improving accessibility and easing congestion, while stressing the need for proper planning and management of informal spaces around the junction after completion.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that such spaces were properly integrated into the overall development plan to prevent a resurgence of uncoordinated activities that could undermine the benefits of the intervention.

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Representing the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olawale Musa, identified roadside trading and other unregulated commercial activities as major contributors to traffic congestion along the Ikotun axis.

He said the proposed improvement formed part of the state government’s broader efforts to tackle transportation challenges and improve the quality of life of residents.

Musa assured property owners and other legitimate interests that might be affected by the project of appropriate compensation in accordance with government policies and procedures. He appealed to affected persons, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of the project.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Mr. Olayinka Adebayo Wasiu, urged stakeholders to work closely with the government and project consultants, noting that their cooperation and constructive participation would be critical to completing the project within the expected timeframe.

He said the Lagos State Government remained committed to implementing projects that would translate the dividends of democracy into tangible benefits for residents.

The Chairman of Igando/Ikotun LCDA, Senior Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, commended the state government for the intervention, describing it as a timely response to the transportation and environmental challenges confronting the community.

Akinsanya pledged the LCDA’s full cooperation towards the successful execution of the project.

Similarly, the Onikotun of Ikotun Kingdom, HRM Oba Azeez Gbadabiu Asiwaju, welcomed the proposed improvement works, describing them as a significant development for the community.

The traditional ruler assured the government of the support of the traditional institution and residents, while calling for sustained engagement with stakeholders throughout the implementation process.

Stakeholders at the meeting acknowledged the importance of the project to the socio-economic development of the Ikotun axis, particularly its potential to ease congestion, improve connectivity and create a more organised environment for residents, commuters and businesses.

They also raised concerns and made recommendations on how to minimise disruption to economic and social activities during the construction period.

Among dignitaries at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Engr. Adetunji Adeyemi; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), Tpl. Kehinde Osinaike; General Manager, Lagos State Informal Space Management Authority (LASISMA), Tpl. Daisi Oso; as well as directors and other officials from the Ministries of Transportation and Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The engagement brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, market men and women, residents and other representatives of host communities, providing an avenue for stakeholders to understand the proposed intervention, express concerns and contribute to its successful implementation.

The meeting reinforced the need for sustained collaboration between the state government, traditional institutions, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that the Ikotun Junction improvement project delivers its intended objectives of easing traffic, enhancing mobility and promoting orderly physical development.

 

LASG Moves to Fix Ikotun Junction, Seeks Community Support

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