Oluku Tanker Explosion: NBM Mourns Victims, Consoles Bereaved Families

by Idahosa Musa

 

…Commends UBTH, emergency responders for intervention

The NBM of Africa Worldwide has commiserated with families who lost their loved ones in Thursday’s devastating petrol tanker explosion at Oluku, along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that underscores the urgent need to prioritise human life and public safety.

The organisation, in a statement issued by its Worldwide President, Dr. Charles Chimezie, Ph.D., and made available to journalists in Benin City, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, while extending its condolences to the bereaved families and sympathising with those who sustained injuries and lost property in the inferno.

The explosion occurred after a petrol tanker reportedly overturned near Oluku in the morning, spilling fuel onto the road. Hours later, the spilled petroleum ignited, triggering a massive fire that engulfed nearby shops and other structures, leaving several people with severe burns and raising fears of multiple fatalities.

The tragedy also exposed the grave dangers associated with scooping fuel from fallen tankers, as residents who reportedly rushed to collect the spilled petroleum were caught in the ensuing inferno. Emergency responders, including firefighters, security personnel and medical teams, were mobilised to contain the fire, rescue victims and provide treatment for the injured.

Reacting to the sad development, the NBM of Africa, which identifies with humanitarian service, said the loss of lives and the suffering of affected families were deeply distressing, stressing that no material gain was worth the risk of losing one’s life.

The organisation urged members of the public to desist from scooping fuel from fallen tankers, warning that such actions could turn an already dangerous road accident into a mass-casualty disaster.

It also called for stronger public enlightenment on petroleum-related hazards and strict adherence to safety instructions issued by emergency responders.

The NBM president, however, commended the management and medical personnel of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for their intervention in providing emergency care to victims of the explosion.

He acknowledged the critical role of healthcare workers in attending to the injured and helping to save lives during such emergencies.

The commendation, the statement noted, was consistent with the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, recalling that NBM of Africa Worldwide donated blood to UBTH last month as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to support healthcare delivery and patients in need of blood transfusion.

The organisation said the blood donation reflected its belief that humanitarian responsibility must go beyond words to practical interventions that preserve lives, support vulnerable people and strengthen institutions providing essential services to the public.

While praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, the NBM of Africa wished the injured a speedy recovery and urged the relevant authorities to ensure that victims receive the necessary medical attention and support.

The organisation further called on tanker operators, motorists, residents and other road users to exercise caution around accident scenes, stressing that cooperation with emergency personnel and prompt reporting of hazards could help prevent avoidable deaths.

The Organisation reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian service and community support, saying the Oluku tragedy should serve as a sobering reminder of the need for collective responsibility in protecting lives and preventing similar disasters.