Reports reaching the desk of Africa Today News, New York has it that an explosion has rocked the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), fuel storage facility which is located at its Abuja Base, causing serious pandemonium in the area.
The NAF Base is located close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The level of damage at the facility could not be ascertained at the time of filing this report, so also the cause of the explosion.
A source who witnessed the incident said there was no casualty recorded.
Read Also: Indomie Noodles Produced In Nigeria Safe, NAFDAC Clarifies
The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Cdre Ayodele Famuyiwa, confirmed the incident but he has yet to provide details.
The Head of Operations for the Federal Fire Service, FCT, Amiola Adebayo, said firefighters were working hard to put out the fire.
In a statement issued later on Wednesday by Ayodele Famuyiwa, Air Commodore Information, Director of Public Relations & Information for the Nigerian Air Force, said the incident occurred around 8 am.
He said, ‘A fire incident involving a Jet A-1 fuel dump located on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)Base, Bill Clinton Drive, Abuja was reported at about 0800 hours today, Wednesday, 10 May 2023. Though located on NAF Premises, the fuel facility is owned and operated by Messer Geometrics Synergy Services Limited under a ‘Build, Operate and Transfer’ ownership agreement.
‘The fire, which created an explosion from the fuel tanks, has since been put out by the combined efforts of Fire Services from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Administration, the Federal Fire Service, and the NAF Fire Service. It is gratifying to note that no life was lost in the incident.
‘However, investigation has been instituted to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the fire incident. Furthermore, the NAF wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, who were at the scene to offer necessary assistance as may be required.’
Africa Today News, New York reports that the area has been cordoned off by security agents.