Metro
Cars, Buildings Destroyed As Fire Guts NNPC Station in Lagos
Tragedy struck on Monday as fire razed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation filling station on Yaya Abatan Street, Ogba, Lagos State.
It was gathered that the fire, which started around 1pm, emanated from a diesel-laden tanker that was about to discharge its content into the station’s underground storage facility.
Apart from the filling station, over 30 vehicles in a car mart were also consumed by the fire as well as some buildings in the area.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, MAN Fire Service and the Fire Department of the NNPC responded to the incident, while the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, supervised the rescue efforts.
It was gathered that the personnel of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the state police command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were on the ground to manage the crowd.
The station manager, Samuel Akinyemi, said the tanker had not commenced discharging its content when the fire ignited from the vehicle.
He said, “I cannot say how the fire started, because it caught us unawares, but what happened was that a diesel-laden tanker arrived and we stationed it with the expectation that business would resume tomorrow (Tuesday) and we wanted to be available to the public in anticipation that the lockdown would be relaxed by the President.
“We stationed the truck at the appropriate place for discharge, but unfortunately, a fire that I can’t even say how it came about started and before we knew it, it had escalated. The fire started from the truck but nobody was there when it started.”
Akinyemi added that he could not estimate the damage done at the moment.
Speaking on the incident, the Director-General of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the response team was able to extinguish the inferno around 4.49pm.
He stated, “The agency received a distress call around 1pm concerning a fire outbreak at the NNPC filling station located on Yaya Abatan Street, off College Road, Ogba, and this led to the activation of the agency’s emergency response plan.
“The agency’s response team, as well as other emergency responders, jointly fought and subsequently extinguished the flames around 4.49pm. No fatality was recorded.
“However, about 30 vehicles were affected. The combined effort of the emergency responders led to the salvage of buildings nearby.”
Oke-Osanyintolu added that continuous sensitisation and advocacy on fire safety measures must be embarked upon by relevant government agencies, while installation of fire extinguishers in both public and private premises should be encouraged.
He urged all petrol filling stations in the state to install at least one fire hydrant on their premises.
The acting Head of the state fire service, Margaret Adeseye, stated that the Alausa, Ikeja, Agege and Isolo fire stations responded to the incident.
She said, “On arrival, it was discovered that the fire involved the NNPC filling station, which went up in flames.
“The challenge encountered in managing the situation was that it took time for the crowd to be effectively managed. However, the filling station was salvaged from being completely burnt as only one dispensing machine was severely burnt, while another was partially affected.
“Preliminary investigation into the cause of the incident revealed that the fire started when diesel was being discharged into the filling station’s underground storage facility from a 33,000-litre tanker belonging to Lado Oil.”
A motorcyclist, Kazeem Adeoti, who claimed to be among the first responders, said most residents were having a siesta when the incident happened.
He said, “Some victims, whose houses were affected by the fire, were sleeping but were roused from their sleep by the shout that the filling station had caught fire.
“Some of us assisted them by moving their property out of the apartments. But we thank God that no life was lost as of the time we were assisting the residents, but I don’t know what happened after I left the scene.”
Another eyewitness, Jide Adelegan, who stated that he was sleeping when the fire started, said some youths in the area helped in extinguishing the fire before the arrival of firefighters.
He stated, “Before we realised what was happening, some houses close to the station had been burnt down. There was confusion everywhere, as some people were trying to extinguish the fire and help those whose houses were affected, hoodlums were trying to steal their belongings and there was little the police could do about it.
“When the fire service personnel came, they could not easily access the place due to the raging fire and when they eventually did, so many properties had been destroyed.”
Another resident, who identified herself simply as Tola, wondered why a filling station would be approved in a residential area, saying, “It is only in Lagos that you will see a fuel station being built in a residential area. Properties have been damaged by the inferno; the government should not approve fuel stations in residential areas anymore to prevent disasters.”
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed concern over the security situation in the area after the fire had been extinguished and urged the police to beef up security.
She said, “When the fire started, we heard some people shouting that we should run and so many people were running to safety. I learnt that the tanker that came to discharge fuel at the station ignited the fire. The filling station got burnt, all the vehicles in a car mart beside the filling station got burnt and some houses close to the station as well.
“What we need now is security, because some people are using the opportunity to steal people’s property.”
The Punch
Several lucky Nigerians on Monday received huge cash prizes in Globacom’s Jolly Product Cash Award presentation ceremonies held simultaneously in different cities across the country. The events featured winners from different categories, Jolly Life lottery, Jolly Wheel, Jolly Win, and Jolly Trivia.
The star prize of ₦1 million went to Sunday Efenure, a 69-year-old technician from Edo State who won through the Jolly Wheel promo. Efenure who received his cheque in Lagos confessed that he almost ignored the news of his win, fearing it was a scam. “With the rate of scams in the country, I didn’t believe it at first. My wife encouraged me, and I even sent my son to verify before I decided to attend. I thank Glo for this life-changing gift,” he said.
Also smiling home with ₦500,000 each were Taiwo Oni, a 39-year-old Ibadan resident who won in the Jolly Life promo in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Esther Clifford in Abuja who was rewarded under Jolly Win. Taiwo’s twin brother, Kehinde, captured the mood when he exclaimed in Yoruba, “E chop am o!” in celebration of his brother’s fortune which also prompted him to purchase a Glo sim for himself to play the Jolly games with the aim of winning as well.
In Warri, Delta State, Christopher Onajobhe received ₦200,000 won in the Jolly Win category, while Denem Usman Maji from Nasarawa, Godwin Udanna from Onitsha, Anambra State, and Ijeoma Anogwa from Enugu each won cash prizes ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦200,000 in the Jolly Wheel category.
Addressing the winners in Lagos, Mr. Mojeed Aluko of Globacom’s Value Added Services (VAS) Department congratulated them and urged other subscribers to continue participating in the Jolly promos Nigerians to participate in the Jolly promos by dialling *13199# on their Glo lines and following the menu prompt to join the list of winners, describing them as avenues to combine entertainment with empowerment.
Globacom’s partner on the project, Tetragrammaton International, represented by Tolulope Aminu, also commended the winners and encouraged Glo subscribers to “keep playing and spreading the word so others can benefit too.”
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced a 50 per cent discount on fares for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line to mark its second anniversary, effective Thursday, September 4, 2025.
The governor, in a statement ato residents via his official X handle on Wednesday, highlighted the successes of the Blue Line since its launch two years ago, disclosing that the rail system has transported more than five million passengers without a single accident.
He said: “Dear Lagosians, two years ago, we took a bold step with the launch of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line. Today, as I look back on how far we have come, I feel a deep sense of pride and gratitude.
“In these two years, the Blue Line has carried more than five million passengers safely, without a single accident. Trains now run every ten minutes, making over 90 trips each day. Journeys that once took much longer have become faster and easier.”
He noted that the milestone reflects the state’s commitment to building transport infrastructure that delivers value to residents.
According to him, the project has eased commuting challenges and demonstrated the power of collective trust and dedication.
“These achievements show that when we work with dedication and purpose, we can build systems that truly serve the people,” he added.
Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Lagosians for their support, describing the Blue Line as “a project that belongs to all of us.”
He said the anniversary discount was designed to encourage more residents to experience the modern rail service.
“To mark this second anniversary, I am pleased to announce a 50 per cent reduction in fares on the Blue Line for tomorrow, Thursday, September 4, 2025. If you have not yet experienced the Blue Line, I encourage you to take a ride and see what we have built together,” the governor stated.
Looking ahead, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to improve mobility in the city through safer, faster, and more efficient transport systems.
“Our journey is far from over. Step by step, we are creating the Lagos we all desire, building a city where moving around is easier, safer, and faster. Together, we are shaping the Lagos of our future,” he said.
The Blue Line, launched in September 2023, is the first of several rail projects envisioned under the state’s integrated mass transit strategy, designed to reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and enhance productivity in Africa’s most populous city.
The National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja has nullified the provision of the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for the Officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces (HTACOS), which made it mandatory for soldiers to serve for a minimum of 15 years before they could be allowed to resign.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, declared the provision as both oppressive and a gross violation of fundamental rights that are protected by the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The verdict followed a suit marked: NICN/ABJ/25/2025, which a dissatisfied Air Force personnel, Flight Lieutenant J. A. Akerele, lodged before the court.
The Claimant, who told the court that he was commissioned in 2013 as a Pilot Officer during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, specifically challenged what he described as his “systematic persecution and victimisation,” by the authorities of the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, after he applied to disengage from service.
He told the court that the then Chief of Air Staff not only rejected his resignation letter but equally declared him AWOL with a signal issued for his arrest.
Narrating his ordeal, the Claimant, in an affidavit he filed in support of the suit that was entered on his behalf by a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, averred:
“Before the 14th day of September 2013, I was selected based on merit as a final year student in the Nigerian Defence Academy in July 2013 to complete my Flight training in the United States of America.
“During the course of my studies, allowances were no longer released for about 5) five months and I was abruptly recalled from the course in July 2014, and this led to my loss of seniority in rank, and I was not assigned to any unit for over a year.
“I switched five different career paths as a young officer in the Nigerian Air Force, and during this course, I was never promoted as compared to my course mates, as I spent 6 (six) years on the rank of a Flying Officer instead of the standard 4 (four) years.
“I was posted to the National Air Defence Corps, and my specialty was changed to Air Traffic Control and subsequently to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); I began my UAV training in August 2016, but it was terminated as the foreign contractors were not paid according to terms.
“After several months of waiting, my specialty was again changed to the Intelligence Arm of the Air Force.
“I was nominated for the Intelligence Course after serving in Base Services Group (BSG) Lagos from November 2019 to November 2020, but it was later canceled and I was sent back to the UAV specialty.”
He told the court that the bitter experiences he was subjected to caused him “severe emotional distress, feelings of victimization, and a lack of sense of direction.”
The Claimant insisted that the ordeal adversely affected his mental well-being, saying he was traumatized.
“It was for these reasons and the enduring depression and trauma that I voluntarily resigned and disengaged from the Nigerian Air Force,” he added.
According to the Claimant, after his letter for voluntary resignation was received, the authorities of the NAF subjected him to a series of interviews and counselling.
He stated that his Commander and the disposal officers who conducted the interviews and counselling sessions supported his decision and recommended that he should be allowed to disengage from service.
However, he told the court that despite the recommendations, the then Chief of Air Staff rejected his letter of disengagement, insisting that he must serve at least 15 years before he could be eligible to voluntarily resign.
The Claimant told the court that the Air Force boss, basing his decision on provisions of the HTACOS, ordered his immediate arrest.
He argued that as a public servant, he had the constitutional right to voluntarily resign from service.
Challenging the action, the Claimant contended that the said HTACOS was not only a breach of section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, but equally negated various subsisting court judgements.
Delivering his judgement in the matter on Tuesday, Justice Subilim faulted the decision of Air Force authorities, saying it was akin to forcing soldiers into “modern day slavery under the guise of national service.”
Declaring that members of the Armed Forces have the statutory right to retire or resign voluntarily, the court struck down the 15-year compulsory service requirement provided by the HTACOS.
It dismissed the NAF’s argument that the Claimant’s letter had “voluntary retirement” as its caption instead of “resignation.”
The court held that what was of utmost importance was the substance of the letter and not its form, adding that the word “resignation” as used in Section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, must be given a liberal and wider interpretation and not a restrictive interpretation, in line with decisions of the Supreme Court on principles governing the interpretation of the Constitution.
Consequently, the court granted the Claimant’s reliefs and declared his resignation from the NAF as valid and effective from the date his letter was received.
The court equally issued an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Chief of Air Staff and the NAF, who were the 1st and 2nd defendants in the matter, from arresting or detaining the Claimant or compelling him to continue in military service.
