Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, has warned hoodlums and pipeline vandals to desist from further vandalism of oil pipelines in the area or face the law.

Muazu speaking at the scene of the pipeline explosion decried the huge loss caused by the vandals and cautioned residents to be vigilant and be security conscious.

He sympathised with the victims of explosion but warned all intending vandals to beware of further action as strict surveillance would be ensured, frowning at the presence of a gas station cited beside the pipeline.

According to him, it should be relocated because it was a security threat to the community.

Muazu commended the various security agencies that jointly collaborated to maintain order in the area.

Also speaking, the Director-General of LASEMA, Dr Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu, said the victims of the fire outbreak were immediately attended to by his men, saying twelve victims were rescued by his men; two were burnt to death, four on intensive treatment at LASUTH while the other eight were taken to the Gbagada General Hospital.

“The two that lost their lives had been taken to the mortuary in Yaba, while we have collaborated with other security agents to control the crowd,” he said.

He said the fire started after the vandals tried to escape with the last tanker which, unfortunately, was intercepted by security agents which later exploded.

Also, acting Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Margaret Adeseye, said she deployed her men to the scene immediately she got a call, saying she had four trucks with water to the spot which her men used to bring the fire under control.

“We assure the residents of the area and Lagosians that the fire will b brought under control as more fighters are collaborating with other security agents there,” she said.

The spokesman of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the fire exploded when the vandals resisted arrest by the security agents who tried to apprehend them.