Gateway Games: Panic over Diesel Explosion at Alake Sports Complex, as Ogun Government calls for calm

There was a pandemonium at Alake Sports Complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital, over the explosion in the facility.

The Complex located at Ijeja area of the metropolis is one of the venues for the ongoing National Sports Festival being hosted by Ogun State.

The ugly development which was caused by a diesel tanker forced the residents including the athletes to scampered for safety.

It, however, took the timely intervention of the emergency responders to ensure safety and restore normalcy into the area.

The activities scheduled for the venue were later held as planned.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State government has assured athletes participating in the ongoing National Sports Festival of their safety across the venues in Abeokuta and other parts of the state.

The government also asked the residents to remain calm following a diesel tanker explosion near Alake Sports Complex.

Special Adviser to Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, said that while there was an incident involving a diesel tanker that resulted in a fire outbreak, the fire was immediately put out to prevent any damage.

Akinmade commended the promptness and proactiveness of the fire service in the state and the vigilance of officials at the complex, assuring participants at the sports festival of total safety.

"The incident this afternoon involving a diesel tanker close to one of our facilities for the National Sports Festival was very unfortunate. We thank God that the fire was immediately put out to avert any casualties.

"To this end, we want to assure all our athletes and the people of the state of safety and that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is under absolute control," the statement read.