Edo Govt Moves Swiftly After Auchi Tanker Inferno, Okpebholo Pledges Full Support

In an official statement issued on Saturday, the state government disclosed that Governor Monday Okpebholo directed the immediate deployment of a high-powered delegation to the affected community and medical facilities where victims are receiving treatment. The delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu, visited the scene of the incident as well as Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital to assess the situation and sympathise with those affected.

Speaking during the visit, Audu explained that the governor mandated the team to proceed to Auchi promptly after the incident occurred, in order to demonstrate solidarity with the community and obtain first-hand information. He noted that although the governor would have personally visited the area, official engagements in Abuja prevented him from doing so.

Observers noted that the composition of the delegation, which included the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Director-General of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, and officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, reflected the administration’s responsiveness to emergencies affecting citizens.

The Chief of Staff confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident and assured that a comprehensive report would be submitted to the governor to guide future preventive measures. He added that the government would take steps to ensure such incidents are avoided going forward.

Officials also revealed that Auchi currently lacks a functional fire station, a challenge the state government is already addressing. It was disclosed that the governor has approved plans to establish a fire station in the area, complete with fire trucks, by January next year, given Auchi’s status as a densely populated commercial hub.

The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security attributed the incident partly to the poor and undulating condition of the Auchi–Okene expressway, particularly around Jattu Junction. He called for urgent repairs to prevent similar accidents in the future and assured that the state government would bear the cost of treatment for victims still receiving medical care. He also warned residents against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, stressing the high flammability of petrol.

Further updates indicated that 25 people were affected by the explosion, with 16 still undergoing treatment at the hospitals visited by the delegation. Several shops were destroyed, while four trucks and some motorcycles were also burnt in the inferno.

The Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly appealed to both the state and federal governments to urgently rehabilitate the Auchi–Okene road, describing Jattu Junction as a strategic gateway to several communities in Etsako. The Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area also commended the governor for his swift response, expressing confidence that affected residents would receive necessary support, as was done in previous similar incidents.

Victims and eyewitnesses, speaking from their hospital beds, recounted their experiences, as emergency officials continued assessments to ensure adequate response and recovery efforts.