A petrol-laden truck has crashed and burst into flames in Nde community, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, leaving a police officer, a military personnel, and several others dead, with many more injured.

The tragic incident occurred when the tanker reportedly lost control, veered off a bridge, overturned, and ignited, engulfing victims in a raging fire.

Eyewitnesses told the Guardian that the explosion caused widespread panic, with residents and passersby caught in the inferno. Among those feared dead are the Chairman of the Ogoja Truckers Association and a recently promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the medical centre of the Ogoja General Hospital.

Confirming the development, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said initial reports indicated that four persons died from the crash itself, while an additional ten persons lost their lives in the fire outbreak that followed during a transloading operation.

According to him, the Divisional Police Officer in Ogoja relayed the casualty figures, noting that emergency responders acted swiftly.

He explained that the deceased police officer was not on active duty at the time of the incident but served as a medical officer at the local government general hospital. The military personnel, he added, was part of a petroleum task force operating in the area.

Security and traffic officials were immediately deployed to the scene to restore order and prevent further casualties.

“The area was cordoned off to ensure public safety, while rescue efforts were carried out in collaboration with relevant agencies. Injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Ogoja for urgent medical attention,” Eitokpah said.

He added that additional reinforcements were mobilised to contain the situation and secure the affected area, while access was restricted to prevent escalation.

The police spokesman further disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been recovered and released to their families and appropriate authorities, including members of the Hausa Muslim community for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

An investigation into the cause of the crash and subsequent explosion is ongoing, with authorities promising to provide further updates as more details emerge.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of fuel transportation and the risks associated with tanker accidents on Nigerian roads. (The Guardian)