The father of two children affected by the devastating Gas Explosion at Fonex Filling Station in Calabar, Mr. Anietie Ekere, has appealed for urgent assistance to save his surviving daughter, Happiness Ekere, who continues to battle severe burn injuries months after the tragic incident.
Key Highlights:
- Gas Explosion at Fonex Filling Station left several victims dead and injured in Calabar.
- Mr. Anietie Ekere lost his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, after the explosion.
- His daughter, Happiness Ekere, remains hospitalized with severe burns at UCTH.
- Family alleges abandonment and lack of support from the filling station owners.
- Daily treatment costs reportedly exceed N10,000 for drugs and wound care.
- Another surgery may cost over N1 million, according to doctors.
Volunteers and sympathisers have already spent nearly N1 million on treatment.
Family appeals to Cross River State Government and Nigerians for urgent support.
The Gas Explosion occurred on March 20, 2026, at Fonex Filling Station located in Edibe-Edibe, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. The tragic incident claimed several lives and left many others with varying degrees of injuries.
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Speaking to The Trumpet from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Ekere lamented the emotional and financial burden his family has endured since the incident.
According to him, his 15-year-old son, Solomon Ekere, died from injuries sustained during the explosion about one week after the tragedy, while his daughter, Happiness, remains in critical condition.
Ekere accused the filling station owners of abandoning the victims and their families, claiming no representative of the company had visited or provided support since the incident occurred.
“I have not seen anybody from the filling station since that day,” he said emotionally.
The distraught father explained that keeping his daughter alive has become increasingly difficult due to the rising cost of medications, wound dressings, and medical procedures.
“Even now, they still ask us to go outside and buy drugs. Sometimes I spend about N10,000 in one day, and I am not talking about transport. I am just managing to survive,” Ekere said.
According to him, Happiness recently underwent surgery, but doctors informed the family that another medical procedure could cost more than N1 million.
“My daughter is still struggling to stand and walk. I don’t know where the money will come from,” he added.
A support group assisting the family confirmed that volunteers and sympathisers have already spent close to N1 million on medications, medical tests, and other consumables since the Gas Explosion occurred.
The source, who requested anonymity, disclosed that several essential medications were unavailable within the hospital, forcing caregivers to purchase them from external pharmacies.
“One injection alone costs about N13,000, while dressing the child’s wounds can cost nearly N15,000,” the source revealed.
The source further stated that although the government assisted with aspects of the surgery and some hospital procedures, the majority of the daily medical expenses are still being borne by volunteers and the struggling family.
Ekere has now appealed to the Cross River State Government, well-meaning Nigerians, humanitarian organisations, and public-spirited individuals to urgently intervene and help save his daughter’s life.
“All I want is for my daughter to survive. I cannot lose another child,” he pleaded.
