Moshood Adebayo, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and sorrow over yesterday’s inferno in Lagos, where many people were burnt to death, with several vehicles burnt as well.
This was even as the president urged the emergency services and law enforcement agencies to do their best to limit the losses and damage from the incident.
The president insisted that “the priority now is to save those people who could still be in danger.”
His Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement, said Buhari expressed sadness on learning of the tragic loss of lives, vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire.
The president expressed his deepest condolences to the government and people of Lagos on the tragedy.
“Sadly, this seems to be one of the greatest tragedies we have seen in recent times,” said Buhari.
Back in Lagos, the state government allso commiserated with families of victims who died in the inferno.
The state government described the petrol tanker fire as most unfortunate and regrettable.
The incident, which occurred at the Otedola Bridge, inward Ojodu Berger area of the state at about 5:00pm, left scores of vehicles burnt and 10 people dead.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the state government said the incident was a sad development.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we extend our deepest commiseration to the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief.
“As a government, we will not relent in putting measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents,” Bamigbetan said.
The commissioner also added that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had directed all relevant agencies to move into the area to normalise the apprehension in the area and to also, ensure that those in need are adequately taken care of.
The governor assured that clearing the highway of damaged vehicles, to establish normal traffic flow, would continue throughout the night; until the objective is achieved.
Ambode called for the co-operation of all citizens with the officials of the agencies to restore the situation to normalcy.
He also urged motorists to continue to adhere to safety standards and the state’s traffic laws so as to prevent a reoccurrence.