At least 16 people were killed on Wednesday when a petrol tanker lost control in Gaika area of Jebba in Moro local government area of Kwara state.
About thirty buildings worth millions of naira were also gutted fire that ensued from the accident.
It was gathered that the incident occurred at about 9 am when the tanker was driving along the popular Gaika road in Jebba and suddenly lost control.
Eyewitness accounts said the tanker violently hit a car in its rear which instantly caught fire, before it ran into the nearby buildings, setting at least 30 of them on fire.
Road accidents involving fire are common in Nigeria, which relies on land transportation of its petroleum products.
Witnesses said the petrol substance that spilled on the road after the crash, aided the inferno.
“The entire Jebba is in deep mourning, we have never seen this kind of thing before, so tragic,” said a source.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in a swift reaction commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives and properties in the fire incident describing the development as devastating
“The Governor is very sad at this development especially with the loss of lives and millions of naira worth of properties and farmlands,” Rafiu Ajakaye, his Chief Press Secretary, said in a statement.
“He sends his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He urges them to take heart and remain calm as believers.”
He has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to quickly move in to determine the material loss,”
“He also commends the Kwara State Fire Service and other responders for their efforts which helped to curtail the raging inferno and minimised the loss. “Once again, he condoles with the victims and their families on this very sad incident, and prays to God Almighty to repose the souls of the deceased,” the statement added.
