Four people were reportedly killed and at least 10 others injured when a petrol tanker exploded near Oluku Market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State on Thursday.
The tanker reportedly overturned while attempting a U-turn early in the morning, spilling petrol onto the road and into nearby drainage channels. The explosion occurred at about 1 p.m. after residents gathered to collect the fuel.
The fire destroyed nearby shops and damaged vehicles, while several victims suffered severe burns. Some were reportedly burnt beyond recognition.
An eyewitness who had joined the crowd said he escaped after a soldier warned him of the danger. He said the tanker erupted in flames shortly afterwards, forcing people to flee. Two men beneath the vehicle were reportedly burnt.
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At the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Chief Medical Director Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu led emergency personnel treating the victims in the accident and emergency and burns units.
Personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, police, fire service and Edo State Traffic Management Agency were deployed to support emergency operations and manage traffic.
The incident adds to Nigeria’s history of deadly fuel tanker disasters. In January 2025, an explosion near Dikko Junction in Niger State killed more than 70 people, while another tanker-related disaster along the Enugu-Onitsha road later that month claimed 18 lives.
The recurring tragedies highlight the dangers of collecting fuel from crashed tankers before emergency responders secure the scene.