FIC Report (Delta State) – The victims of the recent tanker explosion in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State, will not forget in a hurry, the unfortunate tanker explosion that claimed three lives and left residential, commercial and industrial property destroyed.
The unfortunate incident took place on Sunday 5th January, 2025 at Agbor, headquarters, Ika South Local Government Area Delta State. The incident involved a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of disiel The driver experienced brake failure and veered into a residential area and instantly went up in flames and razed down property worth billions of naira.
Federal Information Centre Asaba correspondent, Celestine Afokobah who visited the scene of the accident gathered that the residents especially those who lost their loved ones and property including a commercial bank building which was also affected, have continued to count their losses.
Despite the level of damage recorded, some of those interviewed acknowledged that if not for the prompt response and intervention of the Fire Service and security agencies, the situation would have been much more catastrophic considering the high population density in and around the affected area.
Mr. John Okafor, a native of Agbor-Obi, who resides in the area said the Delta State Government had sent a high powered delegation led by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor Sir. Monday Onyeme with a promise to assist the victims in restarting their businesses as well as support to the families of those that lost their loved ones.
Another business man, Mr. Anthony Okonkwo who said he is from Anambra State but had been doing his business for over ten years, was seen in tears saying; “Where will I start from?” According to him, his store located within the scene of the accident was completely burnt and goods worth millions of naira lost to the inferno. He appealed to the Federal, Delta and Ika South Local Governments to come to their aid stressing that the money he used to stock his shop was a loan from a bank.
For many residents of Agbor Ika South Local Government Area Delta State, the 5th of January, 2025 will for a long time, leave a horrible memory in their minds as a woman returning from church on that fateful Sunday and two other residents of the area reportedly got burnt beyond recognition in the unfortunate tanker explosion that resulted in the disastrous inferno.
According to an eye witness account, the tanker driver experienced brake failure at a traffic light and ran into the other side of the road which resulted in an explosion leading to burning of residential buildings, commercial stores, part of a commercial bank and loss of three lives.
The residents passionately appealed to the Federal, Delta State and Ika South Local Governments to assist the victims of the sad event.
They also thanked the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori for his swift response by sending his Deputy Sir. Monday Onyeme to visit the scene with an assurance to the victims that the State Government would come to their aid and also, take full responsibility for the hospital bills of those in the hospital as well as release of relief materials to the victims to enable them to continue their businesses
Signed
Celestine Afokobah
FIC Asaba
