By Felix Kuyinu
Victims of a fire explosion at Abaranje area of Ikotun have asked the management of Airtel Networks Limited to fly them to the best burns centre available in the United Kingdom or the United States for treatment.
Speaking through their lawyer, Olubunmi Odeniyi , the victims who are battling with severe burns resulting from the fire and explosion which happened on March 19 at the area last Tuesday at Airtel’s base transceiver station (BTS Lag 767) at no. 15/19 Abiodun Ibidapo Street, Asalu bus-stop. Abaranje, Ikotun, Lagos State on are asking the telecommunication providers to either fly them abroad for treatment or alternatively pay the sum of N150,000,000 compensation fee for damages.
In a letter by the surviving victims : Feranmi Nureni Oluwatoba, Sahefd Adeleke, Franklin Obade and Saheed Raji, which claimed that one Chidi Emmanuel, the fifth victim of the incident succumbed to the serious injuries and passed away at the Gbagada General Hospital two days after being rushed to the hospital.
The letter dated April 2, 2024 and titled, “Egregious Negligence Of Your Company Causing Fire And Explosion And Resulting In Severe Life-Changing, Burns To Four 4 Victims On Tuesday 19 March 2024 Demand For Urgent Medical Remediation And Compensation To Four (4) Victims”, was sent to Airtel Telecommunications.
The letter stated in part: “Our instruction is that your agents and/or privies, a welder and a diesel supplier negligently executed the tasks given to them by you and in the process, a huge fire explosion ensued at and around the BTS which severely burnt our said clients who were innocent passers-by and residents of the community to the point where their lives are presently at grave risk and danger.
“This unfortunate incident has caused great discomforts, apprehension, pain, suffering and distress, not only to the victims but to their families who have little or no means to attend to their sudden but urgent medical treatments.
“Our further instruction from our clients 1s that your company, despite being aware of the incident through your guard on duty at the BTS, have not shown up at the scene nor interacted with our Clients to the end of bringing succour to their medical and psychological distresses.
“The little financial efforts our clients could muster have not engendered the vital and urgent responses that the situation warrants from you.
“Consequently, it is our instruction to demand that: Airtel Networks Limited must immediately fly all our Four (4 Clients together with an assistant each to the UK or the USA to the best burns center available abroad and pay all medical and incidental! fees. In addition to this, we demand a lump sum compensation of N100,000,000 each to our clients.
“Or/Alternatively: Each of our clients be paid N150,000,000 monetary relief, compensation to cover: Pain and suffering; Cost of medical assistance of their choice and discretion abroad including skin-grafting and plastic surgery; and Loss of/reduction of life prospects.
“Our further instruction is that your eminent office enters into an immediate commitment or undertaking to one of the pathways offered above in items 1 and 2 Within Seven (7) Days of the date this letter.
“Take Notice that your BTS at the said location is a potential crime scene for investigation of criminal negligence resulting in the death of one Mr. Chidi Emmanuel who died from his severe burns at Gbagada General Hospital in addition to the grievous wounds inflicted on our Clients. Any continued operation of the BTS may also unnecessarily inflame passions of the surrounding community and may lead to a breach of the peace.”
