Boboye Oyeyemi: Corps Marshall, FRSC

Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Several lives and unknown amount of money were on Thursday lost in a ghastly multiple road crash involving a tanker laden with substance suspected to be petrol, two bullion vans and two commercial buses, which occurred at Abudu bridge, along Benin/Asaba highway, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was gathered that the accident occurred when the bullion vans said to be heading to Benin from Onitsha, in Anambra State, had a head-on collision with the tanker, which apparently was travelling on a one way lane.

Eyewitnesses reports had it that while efforts were being made to clear the wreckages from the road, two commercial buses coming from Asaba axix of the road on top speed also rammed into the accidented vehicles and got trapped under them and bust into flame.

Although the number of human casualties was not yet known as at press time, eyewitnesses said the impact of collision of the commercial buses resulted in fire as the tanker and two bullion vans went up in thick flames.

The eyewitnesses reported that thick smoke billowed into the sky while the smell of fresh naira mint could be perceived in the area.

The situation led to diversion of traffic, converting the dual-carriage way to a single lane, resulting in heavy traffic hold up on the road, with many passengers stranded.

Meanwhile, stern looking security operatives were said to have mobilized to the scene following reinforcement from nearby security formations, apparently to ward-off invasion of the bullion vans by locals.

It was gathered that the Commander of the FRSC, Delta State, Mr. Rindom Kumven, who confirmed the multiple accident, mobilized the Issele-Uku Unit of the Command to join in the rescue operation, although the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of Edo State.

“Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash, and actually there was loss of lives but I can’t give you the figure right now. The tanker was carrying a product, and that was why it went up in flames.

“For now, I can’t 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 mobilize to the scene for rescue operation,” Kumven said.

When contacted, the Edo State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Samuel Olukoya, who spoke to journalists on phone, said the fire was already put out by 6.30 pm.

He however said that the bullion vans were not burnt in the inferno, adding that his men were yet to give report of the number of the casualties and the number of vehicles involved in the accident.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, who confirmed the report of the accident. He however said that he was yet to receive report of bullion van burnt in the accident from his men.

Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.