The Ogun State government has assured athletes participating in the National Sports Festival holding in Abeokuta, as well as the residents of the state, of their safety following a diesel tanker explosion near Alake’s Sports Complex, one of the facilities used for the ongoing Sports Festival.
DAILY POST reports that the explosion occurred on Tuesday, when a diesel truck supplying fuel to a generating set suddenly caught fire and erupted in flames.
The incident, which happened just after 3 p.m., disrupted ongoing events and raised fears of a possible mass casualty incident.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the fire was immediately put out to prevent any damage.
Akinmade assured all athletes and residents of the state of safety, adding that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is under absolute control.
He said, “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.”
Meanwhile, he 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.
