Twin explosions in Edo and Rivers states have left at least five persons feared dead and 31 others battling severe burns. The separate incidents, which occurred on Thursday, triggered infernos that destroyed homes, businesses, and vehicles worth millions of naira.
In Edo State, a petroleum tanker exploded in the Oluku axis of Ovia North-East Local Government Area, injuring 11 victims, including a pregnant woman, who are now receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, a gas pipeline ruptured and exploded in Aleto community of Eleme Local Government Area in Rivers State, destroying over 50 houses and leaving 20 residents injured.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Edo State confirmed the incident, assuring the public that joint operations by security agencies including the military, and fire services are ongoing to manage the aftermath. The FRSC Sector Commander, Preye Ezekiel Bedford, condemned the actions of some locals who attacked security personnel while attempting to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker.
Bedford revealed that residents were warned but despite the warning, ignored safety cordons, putting their lives at risk. He stated that the agency will never get tired to intensifying public sensitization to prevent similar disasters from happening.
In Rivers State, officials blamed corporate negligence for the gas disaster. The Leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, Daniel Chuma, revealed that authorities were alerted to a leakage along the Old Bori Road pipeline nearly three weeks before the blast.
“We wrote to them and submitted a petition to NOSDRA and the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, copying the police, for urgent intervention. Today, we were called to an explosion involving the same pipeline of the Nigeria Gas Company, which has destroyed over 50 houses and cars, with many casualties.”
Affected residents have since cordoned off the disaster zones to prevent casualties. Civil society groups have also called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to initiate a joint investigation visit to the site to determine the precise cause of the leakage.
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