A petrol tanker that fell and caught fire on Thursday along the Benin-Lagos Highway in Oluku, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, killed four people, including a military officer, and left at least 10 others with severe burns. The injured were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, personally led the emergency response.
Residents Scooped Fuel for Hours Before Explosion
Witnesses said the tanker fell at around 7:30 am, and residents quickly moved in to scoop fuel before security agencies could bring the situation under control. Despite efforts by operatives to disperse the crowd, people continued gathering around the vehicle for hours. The explosion occurred in the afternoon, long after the tanker had fallen.
A survivor, who asked not to be named, said he had been among those collecting fuel when a soldier warned him to step back, pointing out that the heat from the sun and the pace at which people were moving around the tanker created a serious ignition risk.
"As I looked back after he spoke to me, the tanker busted into flames as people around the area ran for dear lives," the survivor said. "I thank the soldier; if not, I would have been burnt by now."
He added that two men from northern Nigeria who were directly beneath the tanker at the moment of the explosion died at the scene.
Market and Vehicles Destroyed in Fire
The fire spread rapidly beyond the tanker itself, consuming a market along the road belonging to Chief Osamede Adun, a prominent businessman widely known as Bob Izua. Several vehicles parked in the vicinity were also burnt, along with shops built along a drainage channel near the scene.
A witness who owns a shop opposite the scene said four bodies had been counted, confirming that one of the dead was a soldier. Ten people with severe burns were taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
Hospital Response Led by Chief Medical Director
The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, personally led the emergency response, coordinating teams across the accident, emergency, and burns units to stabilise those brought in and limit fatalities. The hospital's efforts were focused on treating the severely injured and preventing further loss of life.
As of the time of this report, the injured remain under medical care at UBTH, and the full extent of property damage is yet to be assessed. The incident highlights the dangers of fuel scooping from fallen tankers, a practice that has led to multiple tragedies in Nigeria.
