At least six people lost their lives on Tuesday night after a truck carrying gas cylinders exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State.
The explosion occurred within the Chikara Division axis, prompting a swift response from police officers, the Motor Traffic Division and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
According to eyewitnesses, the truck burst into flames as it approached the checkpoint, with the explosion triggering a massive fire that spread to several nearby vehicles.
An eyewitness said the driver of the gas truck and his assistant were burnt to death, while three other trucks caught fire, killing their drivers and motor boys.
“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 trucks, registered in Jigawa State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, were completely destroyed by the blaze.
The bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital in Abaji, while emergency responders cleared the wreckage from the highway to restore traffic.
As of the time of the report, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the incident, as its spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking confirmation.
