At least six people have reportedly died and about 20 others sustained injuries after a petrol tanker crash triggered a devastating fire that destroyed two markets and dozens of shops in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The disaster, which occurred on Thursday, October 15, along the Benin-Lagos Highway, has left approximately 2,000 traders counting their losses after goods and property worth billions of naira were reportedly destroyed.
According to reports, the tanker fell while attempting to turn into the Oluku bypass after hitting a damaged section of the road, spilling petrol across the surrounding area.
The incident attracted residents who began scooping the spilled fuel into plastic containers despite warnings from security personnel, including soldiers, police officers and Federal Road Safety Corps officials.
The situation took a deadly turn when the tanker’s owners reportedly brought another tanker to transfer the remaining fuel. A fire subsequently broke out and spread rapidly, engulfing the two markets and about 30 other shops.
Six cars, two tankers and a truck carrying biscuits were also reportedly destroyed in the inferno.
Traders Lose Billions in Stock and Property
The fire wiped out the livelihoods of hundreds of traders, many of whom said they had recently invested heavily in their businesses.
One of the affected traders, Faith Julius, disclosed that she had purchased goods worth more than ₦2 million and borrowed another ₦2 million to buy solar systems just two days before the disaster.
Market secretary Blessing Itoje said traders were unable to salvage their merchandise before the flames consumed their shops.
She appealed to the government for assistance, explaining that some victims were widows struggling to support their families, while others were still repaying loans taken to finance their businesses.
Chief Osamede Adun, popularly known as Bob Izua, whose market was among those affected, also appealed to the Edo State Government to help the traders rebuild their businesses.
The affected markets belonged to Adun and Comrade Osaze Uwaifo, the Okaighele of Oluku Community.
Governor Promises to Rebuild Market
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo visited the affected traders on Friday and promised that his administration would rebuild Oluku Market and support those who lost their shops and goods.
The governor described the incident as avoidable and criticized the decision to transfer fuel from the fallen tanker without adequate safety precautions.
He also urged residents to stay away from accident scenes involving spilled petroleum products, warning that attempts to scoop fuel could lead to devastating consequences.
Okpebholo subsequently visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, where some injured persons were being treated for burns.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service, Anthony Ojo, denied allegations that firefighters failed to respond adequately. He claimed that personnel deployed to the scene were chased away and pelted with stones by people attempting to access the spilled petrol.
Bad Road Raises Fresh Safety Concerns
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the condition of major roads and the dangers posed by fuel tanker accidents in densely populated commercial areas.
While the damaged road was identified in reports as a factor in the tanker’s fall, the full circumstances surrounding the incident would require further investigation.
The disaster has also highlighted the risks associated with collecting fuel from fallen tankers, particularly when emergency responders are attempting to secure the scene.
For the affected traders, however, the immediate concern is how to recover from the destruction and rebuild businesses that provided income for thousands of people.
With the governor promising assistance, residents and traders will now be looking to the state government for urgent support and improvements to the road infrastructure to help prevent another tragedy.
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