Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has ordered the police to conduct full investigation into the cause of the pipeline blast near the commercial capital of Lagos which claimed more than 200 lives, senior official said on Saturday.

In a statement, Obasanjo's Senior Special Assistant on Media Oluremi Oyo said the president condoled the families of those thatdied in the blast and directed the police to ensure greater protection of oil pipelines.

It said the president who is attending the Fifth Summit of the D-8 countries received the news "with great sadness and concern."

"It is a grave reminder of similar incidences that had occurredin the country in the past," said the statement.

It further warned the people against undertaking actions that could cause such a catastrophe.

In the early hours of Friday, more than 200 people were burnt to death beyond recognition in the pipeline explosion at Isanki Island in the Atlantic Ocean, about 20 km southwest of downtown Lagos.

The explosion started at dawn as people scrambled for fuel gushing out from vandalized pipes, an occurrence which has become very common in Lagos area in recent times.

Source: Xinhua