Many killed, vehicles burnt as petrol tanker falls, explodes along Warri-Benin expressway

Scores of people were killed as a fully-loaded petrol tanker fell and exploded when it crashed on

a failed portion of the Warri-Benin expressway at the Ugbenu Koko Junction, during the early hours of Sunday, October 1.

The Koko Junction is situated along Warri-Benin Highway in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to eyewitness account, the tanker after it fell spilled its contents on the road as people of the communities scrambled to scoop petrol from the vehicle. A spark was said to have caused the explosion killing mostly people who were trying to evacuate petrol at the scene.

 The explosion and consequent fire caused extensive damage to other nearby parked or stationary vehicles stranded as a result of the deplorable state of the road which connects the two states of Delta and Edo.

“We tried to prevent them but the youths threatened to beat us up telling us its their community.

“They came in their numbers carrying all sorts of containers and when the explosion happened around 12:15 a.m this morning we all fled.

“You can see dead bodies on the ground, some of them ran into the forest as I speak, some dead bodies have been removed, I counted over 20 bodies” an eye witness who identified himself as Yusuf, narrated,” sources disclosed.

However, the Delta State Police Command, while confirming the incident, put the casualty figure at five persons.

Reacting to the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe said eight buses, two tankers, five trailers, two cars and one motorcycle were burnt to ashes.

Commissioner of Police, CP Wale Abass, in a statement, commiserated with families of the victims, pointed greed and stiff-neckedness as part of the reasons for the carnage.

He, therefore, warned desperate Nigerians against greed and refusal to learn from the past, similar tragedies even in that axis, adding that bodies of the victims had been evacuated to Oghara General Hospital’s mortuary in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

The command gave details of the tragic carnage that left yet-to-be-identified humans, automobiles and the environment in ruins.

“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 corroboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission {FRSC} at Ethiope West LGA to ensure the free flow of traffic.

“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 occurrences, 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 occurence of oil spillages as it poses 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,” the statement read.

The Koko – Ologbo axis of the Warri – Benin Expressway has been in a deplorable state for over 10 years with no respite in spite of its connecting five oil-producing Niger Delta states.

Broken down and abandoned heavy duty trucks conveying goods from Lagos and other parts of the country litter the deplorable road.

Meanwhile, also reacting to the incident, Sunday, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki commiserated with the families of the victims of the petrol tanker explosion at Koko Junction.

In a statement, the governor expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident, noting that the loss of lives was regrettable.

“We are saddened by the news of the petrol tanker explosion in Koko Junction, Delta State.

“We commiserate with the government and people of Delta State over the tragic incident. We sympathise with the families of the victims,” the governor said.

Obaseki further urged Nigerians to ‘desist from attempting to scoop petrol whenever there is an accident involving tankers. It is pertinent to consider safety first and report to appropriate authorities in such instances.’