4 hours ago
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The Kogi State Government has expressed shock at the tragic road accident in Okunchi Ward of Adavi Local Government Area and assured affected families and residents of its full support in the aftermath of the disaster.
Leading a state government delegation, the State Project Coordinator of the Kogi AGILE Project, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Oricha, visited the community on behalf of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to assess the situation and deliver condolences to the affected community.
A head-on collision between a diesel-laden tanker and a truck belonging to BUA Cement sparked a massive inferno, as the fire engulfed both vehicles and spread to nearby structures, leaving all occupants of the tanker burnt beyond recognition. A residential building and a mosque were also destroyed; however, no lives were lost in those structures.
In a related development, a couple on a motorcycle was caught in the aftermath of the accident due to diesel spillage, leading to the death of the husband, who died instantly after losing control of the bike, while his wife sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The ward councillor and local government representatives received the delegation at the scene.
They commended the swift response of the state government, particularly the deployment of heavy-duty equipment, which helped to evacuate the wreckage and contain the situation, noting that ongoing road construction in the area helped reduce the scale of the disaster.
Oricha, while delivering the governor’s message, described the incident as a painful loss to both the affected families and the entire state.
He conveyed the government’s heartfelt condolences and reaffirmed its commitment to improving road infrastructure and strengthening safety measures to prevent future occurrences.
The delegation also visited victims at the hospital, where the impact of the tragedy was further evident.
The driver of the cement truck, who had initially been in critical condition, later died from his injuries, while the co-driver survived with injuries sustained during rescue efforts.
The injured wife of the deceased motorcyclist was also seen receiving medical care.
Kogi government assures support for victims of tanker accident fire
