C’River: Petrol Tanker Explosion Claims 12 Lives In Ogoja

By Ekanem ASUQUO 

Twelve persons have been confirmed dead following a petrol tanker explosion in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident, describing it as a tragic fire outbreak that occurred during fuel transloading operations.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said security operatives were quickly deployed to the scene to secure the area, control traffic and support rescue efforts.

He said the Divisional Traffic Officer in Ogoja led patrol teams that cordoned off the area to prevent further casualties, while injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Ogoja, for treatment.

According to him, firefighters and other emergency responders worked together to contain the blaze and stop it from spreading to nearby locations.

He explained that the explosion occurred during transloading activities, which triggered a fire that engulfed the area and led to multiple deaths and injuries.

“Twelve corpses were recovered and released to families, including members of the Hausa Muslim community for burial according to Islamic rites,” he stated.

The police spokesperson added that investigations have commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident, especially the handling of the fuel transfer process.

Eyewitnesses said about 38 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion, which reportedly occurred after the tanker fell into a nearby river, igniting a fire that spread rapidly.

There are also unconfirmed reports that a soldier and a police officer were among those injured in the incident.

Authorities have assured that a full investigation is underway to prevent a recurrence.