No fewer than 11 persons have been confirmed dead while seven others were injured in an accident involving a petroleum-laden tanker and others in Kogi State.

An eyewitness disclosed that the first accident occurred at about 3 p.m. when a truck rammed into a stationary vehicle at a military checkpoint due to brake failure, killing one person at the spot at Ochadamu village, along Ajaokuta-Itobe-Anyigba road.

“While the military personnel were trying to sort out that incident, a truck driver was busy videotaping the incident, a situation which angered the personnel, who seized the phone.

“Other truck drivers around protested and demanded that the phone be released to their colleague without further delay,” he said.

The witness said one of the drivers drove his tanker laden with petroleum and cross the road, thereby blocking the highway and sworn not to move it away until the phone was given back to the owner.

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He added shortly after the petroleum tanker blocked the road, another articulated vehicle, filled with coal, lost control due to brake failure too and rammed into the tanker, which exploded in flames that left several persons burnt beyond recognition.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander, Stephen Dawulung, said 12 vehicles, including trucks and six motorcycles, were also burnt down by the inferno that occurred at Ochadamu village along Ajaokuta-Itobe-Anyigba road, Kogi.

Dawulung said the corps’ personnel, who rushed to the scene, were able to rescue some trapped commuters, adding that the injured persons were rushed to hospitals for medical attention.

“Already, six of the injured persons have been taken to Holy Memorial Hospital, Ochadamu, while one person was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ajaokuta for medical attention.

“It’s sad that 11 persons died in these unfortunate road accidents that occurred at a spot due to human carelessness,” he said.

The sector commander said that the corps had been warning motorists to always check the roadworthiness of their vehicles before embarking on a journey but it seems they are not obeying.

He described the incident as “shocking” calling on motorists to always keep to the safety rules and regulations to avoid such carnage and wanton destruction.

The Star