By Innocent Oweh Chibu :
…FRSC Confirms 18 People Dead
President Bola Tinubu has lamented the prevalence of tanker fire explosions in parts of the country, cautioning drivers hauling fuel products to be more careful.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, Tinubu condoled with the government and the people of Enugu State over the fuel tanker incident, which resulted in the loss of lives on Saturday.
Tinubu insisted that traffic control agencies should be extra cautious to prevent recurring fuel tanker explosions.
He also extended his condolence message to the Enugu State government.
The fuel tanker reportedly spiralled out of control and burst into flames while navigating the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Saturday.
Tinubu also commiserated with the families of the deceased and the injured and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and quick recovery for those receiving medical treatment.
The president called for caution and adherence to safety measures among road users, particularly fuel tanker operators.
“All agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules must implement measures to prevent recurring fuel tanker explosions nationwide,” Tinubu directed.
FRSCConfirms18PeopleDeadInEnugu Petrol Tanker Fire
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed that 18 people lost their lives on Saturday when a petrol tanker had an accident and exploded in Enugu State.
The ugly incident happened in Ugwu Onyeama, along Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in the state.
A statement on Sunday issued by Olusegun Ogungbemide, FRSC Spokesperson, said the FRSC team also rescued 13 motorists from the inferno.
“A total of 31 people were involved in the crash. 10 were rescued with different degrees of injuries while three got rescued unharmed.
“Unfortunately, the 18 remaining victims were burnt beyond recognition,” Ogungbemide said.
He explained that the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, his Transport Commissioner, and the state Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, took part in the rescue operation.
Others were the FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of RS9 Enugu, the Sector Commander Enugu and State Director of the State Security Service.
The FRSC spokesperson who attributed the cause of the crash to brake failure, added that 17 vehicles were involved in the incident.
“From the preliminary report received by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, the tanker which was loaded with premium motor spirit (petrol) experienced brake failure and the driver lost grip of the wheels before crashing onto the 17 vehicles leading to a fire outbreak that left 11 vehicles burnt,” he stated.
Mr. Ogungbemide said the FRSC team swiftly diverted traffic to the inward Enugu lane in order to ensure ease of movement along the route.
He said evacuation of burnt vehicles was still ongoing.
The spokesperson said Shehu Mohammed, the FRSC Corps Marshal, has called on motorists plying the said road to exercise caution and use the alternative routes for safety and ease of vehicular movement.
Mr. Mohammed commiserated with the families of the victims and wished the injured quick recovery.
It would be recalled that on January 18, 2025, a fuel tanker laden with 60,000 litres of petrol overturned at the Dikko junction near Suleja, Niger State, where after crashing, local residents gathered to collect spilled fuel.
The fuel promptly caused an explosion, which killed 98 people and injured another 69, including at least 52 critically injured.
