No fewer than five persons were burnt beyond recognition on Sunday as Tanker explosion wreaked havoc at Ugbenu Koko Junction in Ethiope West LGA, Delta State.
The explosion was said to have occurred after a Tanker that was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) fell due to bad road on the said spot while heading towards Benin along the Sapele-Benin Expressway.
The Sapele-Benin Expressway has been in a very bad condition for several years. Motorists and travelers usually spend days on the spot where the disaster happened amid heavy gridlock.
The Federal Government and its agencies in charge of road maintenance have been paying deaf ears to the cries and calls of residents of the area and road users, particularly people of Delta and Edo State.
Narrating the ordeal on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of Delta State, DSP Bright Edafe said the five victims have been taken to the Oghara General Hospital’s mortuary.
According to him, the victims were part of residents of the area who were fetching petrol from the fallen Tanker before the explosion took place.
He listed other properties completely burnt beyond identification to include the fallen Tanker, eight Buses of different makes, two Tankers, five Trailers, two Motorcycles , one Sienna Space Bus, and one ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car.
“In the early hours of today 1/10/2023 0200hrs, the Command recorded a tragic incident where a tanker laden with PMS being driven towards Benin along Warri – Benin Road fell down upon getting to Ugbenu Koko Junction.
“Its content spilled into the nearby swamp, and the spillage attracted couple of youths who took advantage of the incident and started scooping the fuel into jerry cans and other containers. While they were at it, an explosion erupted and the fire from the explosion engulfed the whole area.
“The fire claimed the lives of five persons amongst the youths who had come to scoop the spilled fuel, and also combusted several properties which includes the following: the fallen tanker, Eight buses of different makes, Two Tankers, Five Trailers, Two Motorcycles, One Siena space bus, and one ‘C’ Class Mercedes Benz car.
“Due to the fire, the registration numbers of all these affected vehicles were not clearly visible. At the event of this outburst, the scene was visited, and bodies of the victims were evacuated to Oghara General Hospital’s mortuary.
“In a bid to clear the road of obstructions efforts are being made by the men of Oghara Police Division, in colloboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission {FRSC} at Ethiope West LGA to ensure the free flow of traffic,” DSP Edafe stated.
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Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Wale Abass while lamenting that some citizens will never learn from past experiences, condoled with families of the victims.
He urge Nigerians to always do away with greed and steer clear of scenes of fallen petrol tankers or oil spillage.
“In the light of this tragic incident, the Delta State Police Command, CP Wale Abass extends his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate event. He further expressed his displeasure in the inexorable perversity of Nigerians, especially the youths.
“He stated that it is sad that we never learn from past occurences, since this isn’t the first time such incident has happened. Nonetheless, he appeals that Nigerians should do away with greed and avoid scenes where there is an occurrence of oil spillages as it pose a serious threat to their lives and the lives of others.
“The CP also appreciates the Federal Road safety for working hand in hand with the Command in assuring convenience to all road users in Delta state,” DSP Edafe added.
