No Casualty As Police Confirm Tanker Explosions In Edo

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed tanker explosions, which rocked Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West local government area of the State.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Eno Ikoedem, who confirmed the incident via telephone, said the explosion occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

She explained that spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.

According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

She added: “No casualty was recorded. Our men on ground were able to cordoned the affected areas.”

LEADERSHIP gathered that three separate explosions rocked the town simultaneously in different parts, which led to properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

A resident who did not want his name in print said via the telephone that the blasts occurred along Igbei Road, Igbo Shade, and along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

The resident, who alleged the explosions appeared to have been coordinated, called for a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent future occurrence.

Phone calls put across to Mr. Monday Edogiawere, chairman, Red Cross, Edo State, were not answered at press time.