- Safiu Kehinde
A joint effort by security operatives has on Friday evening foiled an impending fuel tanker explosion in Kogi state.
Coming barely four days after a fuel tanker explosion claimed lives of over 30 people in Niger State, another tanker accident occurred along Felele Expressway in Kogi state with residents also making the deadly attempt to scoop fuel spilled by the tanker.
This was however averted by a joint security operatives who swiftly arrived at the scene to cordone off the residents.
The incident, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Sector Commander in Kogi, Tenimu Etuku, occurred at the Crusher on the Felele Expressway around 5p.m.
Etuku who confirmed the incident to newsmen said that the truck carrying fuel was heading to Abuja when the tank disconnected from the head and rolled into a ditch.
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“Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,” he said.
When the accident occurred, he said, the FRSC patrol team quickly rushed to the scene, and invited the Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Mobile Police unit for security cover.
“The reason is to ensure that the community members do not gain access to the tanker and attempt scooping the feul to cause fire outbreak.
“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Niger and Jigawa states, where several lives of people were lost to fire incidences on attempt to scoop fuel,” he said.
According to him, some people attempted to scoop the fuel before the arrival of his personnel but that they were chased away.
Etuku said that that the area has been properly condoned off by security operatives and some leaders of the Crusher community.
“The community leaders and the security agencies have agreed to ensure that nobody is allowed to go into the ditch with the aim of scooping fuel.”
The commander appealed to members of Crusher community to avoid any temptation to scoop the outpouring fuel to avoid any fire disaster that bring about colossal loss of lives.