The accident scene
A potential tragedy was narrowly avoided in Kogi State on Friday evening, thanks to the quick intervention of security operatives, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed.
According to Mr. Tenimu Etuku, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja, the incident took place around 5 p.m. near the Crusher area along the Felele Expressway.
Etuku explained that a tanker transporting fuel to Abuja detached from its head and rolled into a ditch.
“Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,” he said.
He noted that immediately after the accident, the FRSC patrol team arrived at the scene and contacted other security agencies, including the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and a Mobile Police unit, to provide security coverage.
“The idea was to prevent residents from approaching the tanker to scoop fuel, which could easily result in a fire outbreak,” Etuku stated.
“We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Niger and Jigawa states, where several people lost their lives while attempting to collect spilled fuel.”
The sector commander revealed that a few individuals initially tried to scoop the leaking fuel before security personnel arrived but were quickly dispersed.
He added that the area has since been cordoned off with the help of community leaders and security operatives.
“The community leaders and security agencies have agreed to ensure no one gains access to the ditch for any form of fuel scooping,” Etuku said.
He appealed to residents of the Crusher community to steer clear of the accident scene and resist any temptation to collect the spilled fuel, stressing that such actions could lead to devastating fire incidents and loss of lives.
(NAN)
