A tanker explosion has reportedly killed many persons at Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo.

According to The Punch, the incident occurred on Thursday when the tanker rammed into two bullion vans loaded with cash in an head-on collision.

Reports say, that ‎two commercial buses were also caught up in the accident.

According to a source, the casualty figure is yet to be known. The source added that the smell of new naira notes could be perceived by onlookers as the cloud was filled with dark smoke.

 

Security operatives were called upon to man positions to help forestall any invasion of the scene by hoodlums.

The spokesman for the state command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, George Otoaviokhai, confirmed the accident but said he was yet to get the details.

But the Delta Sector Commander, Rindom Kumven, explained that multiple vehicles were involved in the accident.

 

Kumven said, “Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash and, actually, there was loss of lives. But I cannot give you the figure right now.

“The tanker was carrying a product, and that was why it went up in flames.

“For now, I cannot give you a comprehensive report about the cause of the accident. But even though it occurred in Edo State, I called men at Issele-Uku to mobilise to the scene for rescue operation.”

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, said he only received the report of a ‎fatal accident in Abudu.

Gwandu who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday evening, said, “Well, I have not received that situation report.

“I have not received any information about bullion vans. But I know I received a report about a fatal accident. The same Abudu DPO told‎ me about a fatal accident, not bullion vans containing millions of naira or dollar.”