Tanker explodes near market on Benin–Lagos highway
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on ThisDay
The explosion of a tanker that overturned on the Benin–Lagos highway near Oluku market in Nigeria destroyed vehicles, goods and other property valued at several hundred million naira. People tried to collect fuel, complicating the emergency response, reports ThisDay, which calls for awareness of the dangers of the practice.
A petrol tanker overturned on the Benin–Lagos highway near Oluku market in Nigeria last Thursday before catching fire, ThisDay reports. The flames spread to the market, destroying vehicles, food and other goods valued at several hundred million naira.
After the accident, people tried to collect the spilled fuel, complicating the work of security services and firefighters. ThisDay calls for public awareness of the dangers of this practice and criticises the lack of effective measures to prevent tanker accidents.
The newspaper recalls that a tanker explosion in Suleja, Niger State, killed more than 84 people in January 2025. Nigeria’s Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, had then cited more than 265 deaths in tanker explosions between September 2024 and January 2025, and announced the creation of an investigative committee to determine the causes and make recommendations.
The Oluku fire comes days after a tanker caught fire beneath the Otedola Bridge in Lagos on 19 October. Another tanker also caught fire in Agbor on 18 October after colliding with a vehicle.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
