Nigeria is witnessing massive End SARS rallies for police reforms. Protesters besieged Africa's largest city and blocked the Lagos airport. In response, the government has imposed a curfew and deployed riot cops. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Protesters shutdown Africa's largest city

11-year-old Anthony Mmesoma Madu stands out in black leggings, a white turtleneck and poise beyond his years. His parents wanted him to become a priest. Instead, he has captivated millions with his ballet.

Leap of faith: Nigerian boy captivates the world with his ballet

A Dance Academy, a ballet school in a poor district of sprawling megacity Lagos that aims to bring classical dance to underprivileged children in Africa's most populous nation. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: A leap of faith through ballet, Nigeria's poor find joy in ballet

An explosion at a gas processing plant on Sunday killed at least 15 people and destroyed about 50 buildings after a fire broke out in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, emergency services said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the explosion was triggered after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant near the corporation's pipeline in Abule Ado area of Lagos state.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jihadists-kill-10-in-northeast-nigerian-village-283583">Jihadists kill 10 in northeast Nigerian village</a>

The impact of the explosion led to the collapse of nearby houses, damaged NNPC's pipeline and caused the corporation to halt pumping operations on the Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline, the state-owned oil company said in a statement.

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Several people were injured and taken to hospital, according to Ibrahim Farinloye, zonal coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jihadists-kill-30-people-and-abduct-dozens-in-northeast-nigeria-279878">Jihadists kill 30 people and abduct dozens in northeast Nigeria</a>

Plumes of smoke billowed into the air as people watched, while firefighters tried to quench the flames, a source witness said.

Farinloye told the sources&nbsp;that "the explosion destroyed over 50 residential houses."

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Pipeline fires in Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude oil producer, are common and they are mostly caused by theft and sabotage. The methods used to steal oil often result in accidents that cause fires.

"The fire started with smoke," one eyewitness said. "The smoke was coming up and later we heard a sound ... and some houses collapsed even the roofs."

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NNPC said that the temporary shutdown of the petroleum products pipeline would not affect the normal supply of products to the Lagos and surrounding towns.&nbsp;

An explosion at a gas processing plant on Sunday killed at least 15 people and destroyed about 50 buildings after a fire broke out in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, emergency services said.

An explosion at a gas processing plant on Sunday killed at least 15 people and destroyed about 50 buildings after a fire broke out in a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, emergency services said. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said the explosion was triggered after a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant near the corporation's pipeline in Abule Ado area of Lagos state. Also read: Jihadists kill 10 in northeast Nigerian village The impact of the explosion led to the collapse of nearby houses, damaged NNPC's pipeline and caused the corporation to halt pumping operations on the Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline, the state-owned oil company said in a statement. Several people were injured and taken to hospital, according to Ibrahim Farinloye, zonal coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Also see: Jihadists kill 30 people and abduct dozens in northeast Nigeria Plumes of smoke billowed into the air as people watched, while firefighters tried to quench the flames, a source witness said. Farinloye told the sources that "the explosion destroyed over 50 residential houses." Watch: × Pipeline fires in Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude oil producer, are common and they are mostly caused by theft and sabotage. The methods used to steal oil often result in accidents that cause fires. "The fire started with smoke," one eyewitness said. "The smoke was coming up and later we heard a sound ... and some houses collapsed even the roofs." NNPC said that the temporary shutdown of the petroleum products pipeline would not affect the normal supply of products to the Lagos and surrounding towns.

Lagos gas blast kills 15, destroys several buildings: Nigerian officials

A fire on a pipeline owned by Nigeria's state oil company in the commercial capital Lagos killed three people on January 19. A witness said that the blaze broke out in the Abule-Egba district of the southwestern megacity and it started shortly before 8 PM (1900 GMT). The fire has burned nearby houses and vehicles. Many fires on pipelines in Nigeria, Africa's biggest crude oil producer, are caused by theft and sabotage. The methods used to steal oil often result in accidents that cause fires.

Three reported dead in Nigeria pipeline explosion, Over 200 building gutted by fire

A massive fire has engulfed Central Market in Lagos, Nigeria. Cause of the fire not ascertained yet.

Massive fire in Central Market in Lagos

Police in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-free-nearly-150-from-school-in-northern-nigeria-257051">Nigeria</a> said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse.

Detectives "stormed a prayer house used as a detention camp" on Wednesday evening and discovered 15 men and women aged between 19 and 50 chained by the legs, Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana said.

The pastor of the church, "prophet" Sunday Joseph Ojo, and 10 others were&nbsp;arrested, Elkana said late Thursday.

The victims "were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases," he added.

"The prophet said he has been in the healing ministry since 1986, (and) that he chained them in order to prevent escape."

Some of the victims had spent five years in the church, he said, adding that further investigations were taking place.

Non-government organisations first alerted police to Ojo's "Blessing of Goodness Healing Church" in the Ijegun area of Nigeria's most populous city, according to local reports.

The raid was the first on a church during a wider police crackdown on religious institutions,&nbsp;the majority of which have been Islamic schools,&nbsp;where inmates have been tortured, chained and sexually abused.

Hundreds of victims, mostly children, have been rescued in a series of raids over the past month, mainly across northern Nigeria.

Last week police rescued 108 "unfed and sick" inmates from a so-called reform centre in Kwara State, central Nigeria.&nbsp;

Religious institutions offering to "reform" victims of mental illness and drug abuse are common in Africa's most populous country in the absence of state support.

Police in Nigeria said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse.

Police in Nigeria said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse. Detectives "stormed a prayer house used as a detention camp" on Wednesday evening and discovered 15 men and women aged between 19 and 50 chained by the legs, Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana said. The pastor of the church, "prophet" Sunday Joseph Ojo, and 10 others were arrested, Elkana said late Thursday. The victims "were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases," he added. "The prophet said he has been in the healing ministry since 1986, (and) that he chained them in order to prevent escape." Some of the victims had spent five years in the church, he said, adding that further investigations were taking place. Non-government organisations first alerted police to Ojo's "Blessing of Goodness Healing Church" in the Ijegun area of Nigeria's most populous city, according to local reports. The raid was the first on a church during a wider police crackdown on religious institutions, the majority of which have been Islamic schools, where inmates have been tortured, chained and sexually abused. Hundreds of victims, mostly children, have been rescued in a series of raids over the past month, mainly across northern Nigeria. Last week police rescued 108 "unfed and sick" inmates from a so-called reform centre in Kwara State, central Nigeria. Religious institutions offering to "reform" victims of mental illness and drug abuse are common in Africa's most populous country in the absence of state support.

Nigerian police rescue 15 people chained up in Lagos church

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine.

"We worked through the night and one body was recovered," the southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, told AFP.

The dilapidated building in the densely populated Lagos Island area of the city came down without warning on Wednesday morning.

Locals, firefighters and other emergency services workers picked through the rubble to find those trapped, in chaotic scenes.

Thirty-seven people were rescued alive, Farinloye said on Wednesday night.

Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the building had been earmarked for demolition and a nursery and primary school was being run illegally on one of its floors.

School bags, toys and clothes were among the piles of rubble as a bulldozer tried to clear a path through wreckage.

Shopworker Adeniyi Afolabi, who lives nearby, gave the name of the school as the Ohen Nursery and Primary, and said there were 144 pupils in attendance on Wednesday.

Another local, Zion Munachi, also confirmed the name and the number of pupils. Both said not all children were at the school because of sports activities.

Joshua Yang, of the Lagos State Fire Service, said the nursery area of the building had now been cleared.

"There are no persons left in the rubble," he told the TVC News channel.

Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted.

In September 2014, 116 people died -- 84 of them South Africans -- when a six-storey guesthouse collapsed at the Lagos church complex of celebrity televangelist TB Joshua.

An inquiry found extra floors had been added without planning permission.

In 2016, at least 60 people were killed when the roof collapsed at a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the south.

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine.

Another body has been recovered from the rubble of a building housing a school that collapsed in Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, rescue workers said Thursday, taking the death toll to nine. "We worked through the night and one body was recovered," the southwest coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, told AFP. The dilapidated building in the densely populated Lagos Island area of the city came down without warning on Wednesday morning. Locals, firefighters and other emergency services workers picked through the rubble to find those trapped, in chaotic scenes. Thirty-seven people were rescued alive, Farinloye said on Wednesday night. Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the building had been earmarked for demolition and a nursery and primary school was being run illegally on one of its floors. School bags, toys and clothes were among the piles of rubble as a bulldozer tried to clear a path through wreckage. Shopworker Adeniyi Afolabi, who lives nearby, gave the name of the school as the Ohen Nursery and Primary, and said there were 144 pupils in attendance on Wednesday. Another local, Zion Munachi, also confirmed the name and the number of pupils. Both said not all children were at the school because of sports activities. Joshua Yang, of the Lagos State Fire Service, said the nursery area of the building had now been cleared. "There are no persons left in the rubble," he told the TVC News channel. Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted. In September 2014, 116 people died -- 84 of them South Africans -- when a six-storey guesthouse collapsed at the Lagos church complex of celebrity televangelist TB Joshua. An inquiry found extra floors had been added without planning permission. In 2016, at least 60 people were killed when the roof collapsed at a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the south.

Nigeria: Death toll rises to nine in collapsed Lagos school building

At least 10 young children were trapped when a four-story building collapsed in a densely-populated area of Lagos Wednesday, and rescuers were trying to reach them through the damaged roof.&nbsp;

The children were attending a nursery and primary school on the top floor of the residential building when the structure collapsed. Police said they believed scores of people were trapped under the rubble.&nbsp;

The incident took place near Itafaji market on Lagos Island at around 10:00 am (0900 GMT).

In chaotic scenes, thousands of people thronged the area as police and rescue workers sought to rescue the victims.&nbsp;

A young man helping rescue efforts who gave his name only as Derin said "at least 10 children" were trapped inside but "thought to be alive."

Police said the overall number of people inside was likely much higher.&nbsp;

"We are still trying to find out how many are trapped inside" but probably scores of people said police officer Seun Ariwyo.&nbsp;

He said "at least 20 have been brought out" but did not say whether they were alive or dead.

An AFP reporter at the scene saw at least eight people pulled from the wreckage, including a small boy with blood on his face. Covered in dust, he was alive but unconscious and appeared to be badly hurt.&nbsp;

Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted.

In September 2014, 116 people, 84 of the South Africans, died when a six-story building collapsed as a celebrity televangelist was preaching.

An inquiry found the building had been built illegally and had structural flaws.

In December 2016, at least 60 people were killed when a roof fell in on a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the east of the country.

At least 10 young children were trapped when a four-story building collapsed in a densely-populated area of Lagos Wednesday, and rescuers were trying to reach them through the damaged roof.

At least 10 young children were trapped when a four-story building collapsed in a densely-populated area of Lagos Wednesday, and rescuers were trying to reach them through the damaged roof. The children were attending a nursery and primary school on the top floor of the residential building when the structure collapsed. Police said they believed scores of people were trapped under the rubble. The incident took place near Itafaji market on Lagos Island at around 10:00 am (0900 GMT). In chaotic scenes, thousands of people thronged the area as police and rescue workers sought to rescue the victims. A young man helping rescue efforts who gave his name only as Derin said "at least 10 children" were trapped inside but "thought to be alive." Police said the overall number of people inside was likely much higher. "We are still trying to find out how many are trapped inside" but probably scores of people said police officer Seun Ariwyo. He said "at least 20 have been brought out" but did not say whether they were alive or dead. An AFP reporter at the scene saw at least eight people pulled from the wreckage, including a small boy with blood on his face. Covered in dust, he was alive but unconscious and appeared to be badly hurt. Building collapses are tragically common in Nigeria, where building regulations are routinely flouted. In September 2014, 116 people, 84 of the South Africans, died when a six-story building collapsed as a celebrity televangelist was preaching. An inquiry found the building had been built illegally and had structural flaws. In December 2016, at least 60 people were killed when a roof fell in on a church in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, in the east of the country.

School children trapped as building collapses in Lagos

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