Scores of people have been feared dead in Oshigbudu community, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, following a tanker explosion, Sunday evening.
It was gathered that a tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as Petrol lost its balance and fell on the road while spilling its content.
The incident reportedly happened at Oshigbudu, which is about 4 to 5-hour drive from Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
From an eyewitness account, the explosion occured after the tanker spilled its content. The content was said to have gushed out through a filling station along the Oshigbudu-Obagaji road.
Many houses and properties in part of the community were reportedly destroyed in the incident.
The Vice Chairman of the Agatu LGA, John Ikwulono confirmed the incident. According to the vice chairman, many people lost their lives to the explosion.
He, however, couldn’t ascertain the number of deaths recorded as of press time, but he confirmed that scores of fatalities were recorded and several people sustained injuries.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Dr Emmanuel Shior has also confirmed the incident.
He noted that the incident happened at his local government of origin. He, however, assured the resident that the fire fighters are on top of the situation, adding that there is no need for panic.
He was quoted to have said: “The inferno at Oshugbudu in Agatu local Government, my local government of origin today, 18-04-2021 which has claimed so many lives and destroyed properties yet to be quantified, is the Chief of all the calamities that have fallen us this year.
“As I pray God to comfort the good people of Agatu and most especially those directly involved, over the lost, I wish to call on Government at all levels and spirited individuals to come to our aids in order to drastically reduce the effect of the disaster on the people. Once again may God grant us the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”
