Petrol tanker explosion in Edo State kills four people

On October 15, 2026, a petrol tanker overturned at Oluku Market along the Lagos-Benin Expressway, leading to a spill that attracted many people who attempted to scavenge the spilled petrol. A few hours later, the tanker ignited, resulting in the destruction of market stalls, goods, and several vehicles.

Reports indicate that four people were killed and many others injured. The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA) responded several hours later, while security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent further exposure.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recorded over 70 cases of fuel tanker explosions from 2023 to the present, causing at least 740 fatalities nationwide. The increase in such incidents is linked to economic hardship, prompting people to engage in dangerous scavenging practices.

Factors contributing to these accidents include inadequate infrastructure, poor truck maintenance, and insufficient regulatory oversight.