The Ogun Police Command on Thursday, May 20, said it had commenced investigation into the four incidents of gas explosions in the state within a week.
The state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the command was looking into the cause of the recent gas explosions.
1st News reports that two gas explosions occurred at Igbore and Mercy Road areas of Abeokuta on May 12 and May 13, respectively; involving loss of lives and injuries.
Another gas explosion also occurred on May 18 at the Conference Hotel on Boulevard Road, Abeokuta, owned by Chief Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of the state.
Ajogun said that the state government had expressed concern over the development.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun had also ordered an investigation into the incidents.
The commissioner said that a technical team comprising; the Police, Department of State Security (DSS); the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON); the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR); as well as the Federal Fire Service (FFS) has been assembled.
“We want to really find out the cause of the explosions.
“We will know if it is as a result of human error; adulteration; expired cylinders; or other technical issues,” he said.
The CP, however, dismissed the insinuation of bomb explosions.
“It is unfortunate that rumor mongers will be peddling rumours that the incidents are bomb explosions; but they are not, they are gas explosions,” he said.
He assured that the investigations would soon be concluded; and the findings made public.
Meanwhile, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has blasted the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami; for faulting the ban placed on open grazing in the Southern part of the country.
The ban had been effected by the Southern Governors Forum at a meeting in Asaba last week.
However, Malami who appeared as a guest on Channels Television on Wednesday faulted the ban; arguing that the governor had no right to do that.
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Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of Southern Governors’ Forum, spoke in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, May 20; titled, ‘Our decision is irreversible and will be enforced’.
Part of the statement by Akeredolu read, “I have just read the press statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Shehu Malami SAN on the resolution of the Southern Governors Forum to ban open grazing in their respective States.”
