News
Edo fuel tanker fire: 25 affected, 16 still in hospital
Published By
Paul Dada
Date
21st December, 2025
Quick Read
"25 people were affected, with 16 receiving treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital. Some shops, four trucks, and a few motorbikes were also destroyed in the inferno," he said.
By Jethro Ibileke
No fewer than 25 people were affected in a fuel tanker explosion that occurred in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West LGA, Edo 6.
Of the number, 16 persons are currently receiving treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital.
The incident also destroyed shops, four trucks, and several motorcycles.
The Head of EdoSEMA, Jerry Idahosa, revealed the figure on Sunday during a tour with a delegation led by Chief of Staff to State Governor, Gani Audu.
“25 people were affected, with 16 receiving treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital. Some shops, four trucks, and a few motorbikes were also destroyed in the inferno,” he said.
It would be recalled that a PMS-laden tanker fell in Jattu Junction, along Auchi-Okene Road, leading to fire outbreak in the area.
The state government high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Audu visited the scene of the incident and hospitals where victims are receiving treatment, on the directive of Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The Chief of Staff stated that the delegation was mandated by the Governor to immediately proceed to Auchi to sympathise with the community and carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
“We were given a clear mandate by the governor when we heard of this incident that we should come to Auchi immediately to show solidarity and sympathise with the Auchi community and the victims. We are here on the directive of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to assess exactly what happened,” he stated.
He explained that although the governor would have personally visited the area, he was unavoidably engaged in Abuja on state matters and therefore constituted a strong delegation to demonstrate the government’s responsiveness.
“When you have the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Director-General of EdoSEMA and officials of NEMA, you can see that this is a responsible and responsive government that cares about the people,” he added.
Gani Audu noted that the delegation had visited the scene of the inferno and hospitals where victims were admitted, stressing that a detailed report would be submitted to the governor to guide long-term preventive actions.
“We thank God that no life was lost. We now have first-hand information and will report back to the governor so that measures can be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he added.
On his parr, the State Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea commiserated with the victims and attributed the incident partly to the poor condition of the Auchi–Okene express road linking Jattu junction.
“The undulating nature of this road is dangerous. We need urgent remedial work to avert future occurrences. From past records, several trailers have missed their way here,” he stated.
He assured that the Edo State Government would take responsibility for victims still receiving treatment and warned residents against scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
“PMS is highly flammable. Anywhere you see fuel flowing, run away fast. Even a minor static force can ignite fire. This is strong advice to everyone,” he cautioned.
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