No fewer than twelve persons have been confirmed dead in a fuel tanker explosion which occurred at Oshigbudu village in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Earlier on Sunday, a petrol tanker fell at the Oshigbudu-Obagaji junction and spilled its contents.
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Benue State, Yakubu Mohammed, said the driver of the tanker had lost control, leading to the accident.
He said eight males, three females and a little boy died as a result of the road traffic crash.
Mohammed, who confirmed that a fire incident erupted after the crash, said the 12 people died instantly.
He, however, could not say the number of those affected by the fire, which gutted several houses and shops.
“Everything is calm now, but you know the tanker lost control and crashed. Immediately it crashed, the fuel spilled and affected shops and houses.”
He added that FRSC operatives and other security agencies are working together to evacuate the casualties and control the situation.
