- Safiu Kehinde
Multiple explosions have hit Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo state with many feared dead.
The incident reportedly occurred in three different areas of Auchi at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
While the first blast occurred along Igbei Road, the second at the Igbo Shade area near an AP filling station.
The third explosion would be reported along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.
Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed, including buildings and shops, across the three affected areas.
While the number of deaths or casualties is yet to be ascertained, an eyewitness, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity, said the explosions occurred almost simultaneously in different parts of Auchi.
The eyewitness added that the blasts appeared to have been coordinated.
The eyewitness described the incident as allegedly planned attack on the Auchi community and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.
However, the Edo State Police Command has attributed the explosion to a fuel tanker fell along the expressway which had prompted residents to scramble to scoop fuel.
Videos circulating on social media showed several residents scooping the fuel along the road moments before the explosions.
It took the intervention of the Police Area Commander in Auchi, who mobilised officers to the scene to prevent a possible explosion as the crowd continued to grow.
However, the Edo Police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, explained that the spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.
According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.