No fewer than six people were killed on Tuesday night when a gas-laden truck exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja–Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State.
The incident reportedly occurred within the Chikara Division area, prompting an emergency response by police officers, personnel of the Motor Traffic Division and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
According to an eyewitness, the truck, which was transporting gas cylinders, exploded as it approached the Army checkpoint, sparking a fire that spread to other vehicles.
The eyewitness said the truck driver and his assistant were burnt to death, while the fire also engulfed three other trucks, killing their drivers and assistants.
“The driver of the gas truck and his motor boy were burnt to death. The fire also engulfed three other trucks, killing their drivers and motor boys. In all, six people lost their lives in the incident,” the eyewitness said.
The affected vehicles, bearing registration numbers from Jigawa State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, were completely destroyed by the fire.
The bodies of the victims were evacuated to the General Hospital, Abaji, while the burnt vehicles were removed from the highway to restore the free flow of traffic.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to telephone calls or text messages seeking comment as of the time this report was filed.
