7 Children, 16 Others Killed In Kogi Tanker Explosion – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kogi State Command, has confirmed the death of 23 persons in a petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Wednesday along Felele – Nataco axis of Abuja – Lokoja road.

Kogi State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Idris Ali, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

He disclosed that the victims of the explosion include ten adult males, six female adults, three female children and four other children burnt beyond recognition.

Ali added one child escaped death with injury.

The Sector Commander said 10 vehicles including five cars, one tanker, three tricycles and two motorcycles were involved in the accident.

He stated that eleven of the corpses have already been claimed by their relatives while the rest have been deposited in the morgue at the Kogi State Specialist hospital, Lokoja.

A whole family of six, who were caught up in the inferno, died before help could come their way.

It was gathered that sympathizers watched helplessly as no fire fighting vehicles from the state or federal fire services came to the scene to put off the fire.

The explosion occurred around 8.30am, close to the GT plaza.

An eyewitness account said the tanker had a break failure at GT Plaza and rammed into the vehicles in its front causing the fatal accident.

The situation was worsened as other oncoming vehicles ran into the inferno.

Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed shock over the unfortunate tanker explosion.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, the governor expressed his deepest condolences to the family of those affected by the sad incidence.

He said, “This is sadly the greatest tragedy the state has witnessed in recent times. The unfortunate accident is a sad development. I share the feeling of those who lost their loved ones in this incident”.

The Governor also urged the students of Kogi State Polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful, stating that he equally shared in their grieving moment over the death of some of their colleagues in the disaster”.