By Abiola Olawale
The Delta State Police Command has confirmed that it is now investigating the cause of the fuel-laden tanker explosion that occurred on Friday, at the Ometan community junction, along the Warri-Sapele road in the Okpe Local Government Area of the state.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police(operations), Delta State Command, DCP Aina Adesola made this confirmation during a visit to the site where the tragic incident occurred.
Adesola led an investigating team to the accident scene on Saturday. Addressing the journalists during the visit, the DCP commiserated with the victims of the explosion, particularly the families of the deceased and the entire community “for the lives and property that were lost during the incident.”
Adesola added that the team’s visitation was based on the directive of the CP Abaniwonda “to ascertain the actual cause of the accident, and how the tanker explosion and its devastating consequences occurred.”
He said: “My boss – CP Abaniwonda, expressed his sincere sympathy with the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident and prayed to God to console every one of them at a time like this.
“Just as we also pray that God replenishes those who lost their property in this unfortunate occurrence.”
In the visiting team with DCP Aina were some political aides to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, including the Director-General of the Warri-Uvwie Environs Special Area Development Agency, Godwin Ejiyeren; the Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Anthony Ofoni, among others.
The New Diplomat reports that the Ometan community was thrown into pandemonium on Friday morning when an explosion occurred after the front part of an oil tanker detached from the rear compartment while trying to overtake another truck a few meters away from the boundary bridge between Uvwie and Okpe. The rear portion of the tanker exploded, and fire broke out at the scene.
Seven persons, including a three-year-old child and her mother, reportedly lost their lives, while buildings, vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks were destroyed due to the explosion.
