Buhari, Saraki, Al-Makura mourn as gas explosion kills three, injures 37 in Nasarawa

President Muhammadu Buhari has offered his condolences to the government and people of Nassarawa State over the tragic fire incident which started from a petrol station, killing three persons and destroying vehicles and several shops in Lafiya on Monday.
The President, who was briefed about the scale of destruction of life and property, expressed grave concern over the high toll in the fire incident.
He consoled the bereaved families and appealed to the state and federal authorities and well meaning persons in the state to ensure that the best medical assistance was provided to the injured persons.
“I wish that this kind of tragedy never happens to any part of the country,” said the President.
Also, Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, commiserated with victims of the gas explosion.
Saraki, who visited the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia, where some of the survivors were receiving treatment, expressed shock over the incident.
He described the inferno as ‘unfortunate’ and prayed God to grant the survivors speedy recovery and the dead eternal rest.
The Senate President lauded the various emergency agencies for the prompt response, as well as the hospital management for their efforts towards saving more lives.
Saraki was in Lafia to meet with delegates and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the party’s presidential primaries.
Monaco Gas Station in Lafia was razed about 10a.m. when a tanker off loading liquefied gas had a leakage and went up in flames.
Mr Dogara Dalhatu, the Chief Fire Officer of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, who confirmed the incident, attributed it to a spark around the vicinity, where the gas was being discharged.
Dalhatu said the inferno had been brought under control and that the casualty figure could not be ascertained at the moment, saying that the rescue agencies were still working to save lives.
He said that about 10 vehicles, five motorcycles and three tricycles were destroyed by the fire.
Miss Deborah Dangara, the Public Relations Officer of DASH, confirmed that some casualties were brought into the hospital with various degrees of burn.
Dangara, however, said that she had yet to  confirm the number of deaths recorded from the incident.
Governor Tanko Al-Makura expressed shock and sadness over the gas explosion.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, during on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the incident, he declared that the state government would take the necessary steps to unravel the cause of the accident..
Agara, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Yahaya Bello, and Chairman, Lafia Local Government, Malam Aminu Muazu, described the explosion which occurred at Monaco Gas plant within the premises of Natson Filling Station on Jos Road, as most unfortunate.
He expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims on behalf of Al-Makura and assured the people of government’s readiness to respond to the emergency and ensure a thorough investigation of the incident.
Agara applauded the security and emergency response teams for their quick intervention and advised the public to stay away from the scene to allow relevant agencies carry out their investigation into the matter.
He and his entourage later visited the 37 victims with various degrees of injuries at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia.
On the casualty figure, Mrs Faustina Alegbe, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in the State, said that two persons died while 37 people were injured.
“So far, 37 people are receiving treatment in the hospital but two have been confirmed dead by the doctors.
“Tomorrow, we will go back to the hospital to do an update. But I can tell you that I was in the hospital myself to do a physical count and as at now, 37 are receiving treatment with two dead,” she said.