Tension In Anambra Community As Fuel Tanker Falls, Spills Content

There was palpable tension at the tollgate axis of Ogbunike community, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State when a tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) fell into a gutter and spilled its content.

This came not too long after similar incident at Ochanja Market in Onitsha. In the Onitsha incident, lives and properties were lost as the spilled content caught fire and razed many shops and humans including a mother and child.

It was not clear what led to the latest accident but people within the vicinity fled the scene for safety.

Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, a Superintendent of Police, said the incident took place, yesterday morning.

Mohammed said: “There was an accident involving a truck with registration number BEN 256 XC laden with premium motor spirit (Petrol) and driven by one Collins Iyare, 32, of Rojoil Ltd, No.7 Omorowade Street, Benin city at toll gate, Ogbunike in Oyi. As a result, the truck fell into a gutter and started spilling its contents.

“Police patrol teams and other security agencies responded promptly and the scene was effectively cordoned off in order to avert any calamity. Consequently, traffic was diverted to a safer direction. Fire Service department and other emergency response agencies are equally on ground, while effort is ongoing to trans-load the contents by NUPENG officials and clear obstructions to enable free vehicular movements in the Area.”

He said the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, had ordered a full scale investigation into the incident in order to ascertain circumstances surrounding it.