Eight injured, vehicles burnt as petrol tanker explodes in Edo

At least eight persons have sustained burns after a tanker burst into flames near Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Road in Edo state.

The incident occurred on Thursday after a lone tanker was involved in an accident at about 7:30am.

In a statement on Thursday, Eno Ikedem, police spokesperson in the state, said the fire started at about 11:50am as members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) emergency response team transferred petrol to another truck.

Ikedem said the police had deployed personnel, including the divisional police officer (DPO) of Ekiadolor division, the area commander and deputy commissioners of police in charge of operations and investigation, in maintaining law and order.

He said some persons were evacuated to safety while efforts were made to prevent others from scooping fuel from the fallen tanker.

The police spokesperson said the fire damaged parts of the market and burnt two buses, an Audi saloon car and a truck.

Ikedem noted that the value of the losses was yet to be determined.

The eight injured persons were evacuated to the nearest hospital where they are receiving treatment.

Ikedem added that police operatives, alongside personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Edo State Security Corps, remained at the scene to prevent further harm and restore normalcy.

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel and emergency responders.

The command also warned the public against scooping petroleum products from fallen tankers, cautioning that the practice could lead to loss of lives and property.