No fewer than 25 persons were affected following a fuel tanker explosion in Auchi, headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, with 16 victims currently receiving treatment at hospitals.
The incident, which occurred along the Auchi–Okene axis, also led to the destruction of several shops, four trucks and a number of motorbikes.
The Head of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA), Jerry Idahosa, disclosed these figures during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene, conducted by a high-powered state government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu.Idahosa explained that out of the 25 persons affected, 16 were admitted at the Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital. He added that the inferno caused extensive damage to commercial property and vehicles in the area.
The delegation, constituted on the directive of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo, also visited hospitals where the victims are receiving treatment, as part of efforts to assess the impact of the incident and provide immediate support.
Speaking during the visit, the Chief of Staff said the delegation was mandated to immediately proceed to Auchi to sympathise with the affected community and victims, and to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the situation.
“We were given a clear mandate by the governor when we heard of this incident on December 17 to come to Auchi immediately to show solidarity with the community and the victims. We are here on the directive of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to assess exactly what happened,” Audu said.
He explained that although the governor would have personally visited the area, official engagements in Abuja made it impossible, prompting the constitution of a strong delegation to demonstrate the government’s responsiveness.
“When you see the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, the Chief
