At least six people have died after a truck carrying gas cylinders exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State, leaving multiple vehicles destroyed and causing panic among motorists.
The late-night explosion, which occurred on Tuesday within the jurisdiction of the Chikara Division, sparked a massive fire that prompted a swift emergency response from the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Motor Traffic Division.
An eyewitness said the gas-laden truck exploded as it approached the military checkpoint, sending flames across the highway and engulfing nearby vehicles within seconds.
According to the eyewitness, the truck driver and his assistant were trapped in the blaze and died at the scene. The fire also spread to three other trucks parked nearby, killing their drivers and motor boys.
“The driver of the gas truck and his motor boy were burnt to death. The fire also engulfed three other trucks, killing their drivers and motor boys. In all, six people lost their lives in the incident,” the eyewitness said.
The trucks destroyed in the inferno reportedly carried registration numbers from Jigawa State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Emergency responders recovered the bodies of the victims and evacuated them to the General Hospital, Abaji, while officials worked to remove the burnt vehicles from the highway to restore normal traffic flow.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident. Repeated calls and text messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, were not answered.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
