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Petrol tanker explodes after falling and spilling PMS at Oluku along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, triggering a devastating fire.
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At least 11 severely burnt victims were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, while the number of fatalities remained unconfirmed.
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Buildings, shops and vehicles were razed after the inferno spread through parts of Oluku market, forcing residents and traders to flee.
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Edo APC Campaign Council commiserates with victims, praises UBTH’s emergency response and urges that the tragedy not be politicised.
October 15, (THEWILL) – Several people were feared dead and others severely burnt on Thursday after a petrol tanker exploded at Oluku along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, destroying buildings, shops, vehicles and other property.
The tanker, which was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), reportedly fell earlier in the day and spilt its contents around the busy Oluku market area.
People who gathered around the fallen tanker were said to have started scooping the spilt petrol before the tanker suddenly burst into flames at about 1 pm, triggering a massive inferno.
The fire rapidly spread through the surrounding area, consuming shops and buildings erected around the drainage channels and affecting vehicles in the vicinity.
Several people caught in the inferno reportedly sustained serious burns, with eyewitnesses saying some victims were burnt beyond recognition.
The exact number of fatalities was yet to be officially confirmed as of press time.
However, 11 victims who sustained severe burns were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for emergency medical treatment.
An eyewitness who was among those scooping the spilt petrol said he escaped death by a whisker after a soldier at the scene warned him about the danger of gathering around the leaking tanker.
According to the eyewitness, the soldier drew his attention to the intense sunlight and the large number of people scooping fuel around the tanker.
He said shortly after he moved away, the tanker suddenly burst into flames, sending people around the area running for their lives.
“I was also among those who were scooping the fuel. I escaped by a whisker. It was a soldier who called me and drew my attention to the fact that it was sunny and that the way the people rushed to scoop the fuel might ignite a fire. As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker burst into flames as people around the area ran for dear life. I thank the soldier; if not, I would have been burnt by now”, the eyewitness said.
He added that two men who were directly under the tanker were burnt, while several shops built around the drainage were also consumed by the fire.
The source said the inferno also affected vehicles that were caught in the area, adding that the number of people who may have died remained unknown.
UBTH Mobilises Emergency Response
At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, emergency personnel were immediately mobilised to receive and treat the victims brought from the scene.
The Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, personally took charge of the emergency response, coordinating medical teams across the accident, emergency and burns units as they battled to stabilise the severely injured victims.
Medical personnel worked to prevent further fatalities and provide urgent treatment to those who suffered serious burns.
The Edo State Fire Service also deployed personnel to the scene to battle the inferno and prevent it from spreading further, while security personnel and other emergency responders participated in rescue and evacuation efforts.
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APC Council Commiserates With Victims
Reacting to the tragedy, the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commiserated with the families of those affected.
In a statement issued by its Director of Media, John Mayaki, the council described the incident as heartbreaking and called for urgent support for survivors and families who lost loved ones or property.
“Our hearts go out to the families affected by this unfortunate tragedy. We share in their grief and pray that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear their losses”, Mayaki said.
He added that the tragedy had inflicted painful losses on families and traders whose businesses and livelihoods were destroyed in the inferno.
“No family deserves to lose a loved one in such painful circumstances. No parent should have to bury a child, and no child should have to lose a parent to a preventable tragedy. No struggling market woman deserves to lose her wares”, he added.
The council also commended the UBTH Chief Medical Director for personally coordinating the hospital’s emergency response.
“We commend Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, for rising to the occasion and personally coordinating the emergency medical response to this unfortunate incident”, Mayaki said.
He also praised the doctors, nurses, emergency workers, firefighters and other personnel involved in rescuing and treating victims.
The APC Campaign Council, however, criticised attempts to introduce political undertones into discussions surrounding the tragedy.
Mayaki referred to a social media post attributed to a Benin-based lawyer which reportedly described the Oluku fire outbreak as “a welcoming scene for the First Lady”, apparently in reference to the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Questioning the connection between the tanker explosion and the First Lady’s visit, Mayaki urged political actors to put compassion above partisan differences.
“What exactly is the connection between a tanker explosion and the First Lady’s visit? Is a fire outbreak now a welcome ceremony?” he queried.
He stressed that human suffering should not be politicised, regardless of the political party in power.
“Our differences in politics should never deprive us of compassion. A tragedy is a tragedy, whether it happens under an APC, PDP or ADC administration”, Mayaki said.
He urged political actors and residents to focus on the victims, support affected families and appreciate those risking their lives to save others.
“Elections will come and go. Political parties will disagree. But human lives are sacred and irreplaceable. The responsible thing at a time like this is to sympathise with the victims, appreciate those risking their lives to save others and encourage the relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence”, he said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
