8th December, 2016
The accident occurred at Abudu bridge, along Benin/Asaba highway, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
It was gathered that the accident occurred when the bullion vans said to be heading to Benin from Onitsha, in Anambra State, had a head-on collision with the tanker, which was travelling on a one way lane.
Witnesses report that while efforts were being made to clear the wreckage of the vehicles from the road, two commercial buses coming from Asaba with full speed rammed into the vehicles and caught fire.
Although casualty is still unknown, witnesses said the impact of the collision of the commercial buses resulted in fire which engulfed the tanker and two bullion vans.
The witnesses reported that thick smoke billowed into the sky while the smell of fresh naira mint filled the air.
The situation led to conversion of the dual-carriage way to a single lane, resulting in heavy traffic.
Security operatives were said to have mobilized to the scene following reinforcement from nearby security formations, to ward-off invasion of the bullion vans by locals.
It was gathered that the Commander of the FRSC, Delta State, Mr. Rindom Kumven, who confirmed the multiple accidents, mobilized the Issele-Uku Unit of the Command to join in the rescue operation, although the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of Edo State.
“Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash, and actually there was loss of lives but I can’t give you the figure right now. The tanker was carrying a product, and that was why it went up in flames.
“For now, I can’t give you a comprehensive report about the cause of the accident but even though it occurred in Edo State, I called men at Issele-Uku to mobilize to the scene for rescue operation,” Kumven said.
When contacted, the Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Samuel Olukoya, who spoke to journalists on phone, said the fire was already put out by 6.30 pm.
He however said that the bullion vans were not burnt in the inferno, adding that his men were yet to give report of the number of the casualties and the number of vehicles involved in the accident.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, confirmed the accident.
Jethro Ibileke/Benin