BY VICTORIA IKEANO

*Hospital besieged

*Condolences pour in

*Facebook activates “crisis” app for residents

Over 36 hours after the tragic gas explosion in Lafia, capital of Nasarwa State that claimed lives, injured many and destroyed property worth millions of naira, hundreds of people are still trooping to the venue to see things for themselves.

Described by the deputy governor Silas Agara as the worst disaster since creation of the state in 1996, scores of people could be seen at the site lamenting over the incident as they inspected the charred remains of trucks, tricycle, motorcycles, buses, private cars and other properties that littered the gas depot, road and other adjoining surroundings. Some of them continued to snap pictures.

Similarly, the specialist hospital was jam packed with relations, friends and well wishers to sympathize with the injured.

Agara hinted that some of the critically injured would be transferred to the Federal Medical Centre Keffi and the University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Benue State.

The incident continued to be a hot topic of discussion in homes, institutions and organizations in Lafia with some sharing horrific pictures of the tragedy across handsets.  Meanwhile condolences and sympathy messages are pouring in from all walks of life.

The state commissioner of information, Jamil Zakari remarking that the explosion was as “devastating as it was painful” prayed for the souls of those who lost their lives while wishing the injured quick recovery.  Governorship candidate of the All  Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and former information minister, Hon. Labaran Maku also condoled with the bereaved, injured and those who lost properties. Ditto an APC gubernatorial aspirant Dauda Kigbu and a former Justice commissioner, Yusuf, Shehu Usman.

Former coordinator NEPAD, Idris Maiwada on his part prayed God to protect the state from a future reoccurrence, urging those affected to see it as an act of God, just as he also pray God to give the families the fortitude to bear the losses.

The state chapter of the social democratic party (SDP) while commiserating with the victims blamed the state government for the tragedy. Speaking through its publicity secretary, Idris Jibrin Ibrahim, the party said that the government should bear the responsibility for approving the siting of a gas depot in a residential area.

Vice chancellor of the Federal University, Lafia, Professor Muhammad sanusi Liman describing  the incident as “unfortunate” prayed God to grant the survivors speedy recovery, the dead eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear the loss.

In the meantime facebook has activated a “crisis” app by which those in Lafia and its environs can let their friends and relations know that they are not affected by the explosion by marking themselves “safe” on the viral app while also soliciting material help for the victims.