Panic as fuel tanker falls on bad Asaba-Onitsha road

Residents and commuters deserted the Asaba-Onitsha expressway in Asaba, the Delta State capital, after a fuel tanker fell on the expressway.

It was learnt that residents and commuters fled the area over fear of an explosion as fuel poured down the road into the Ajaji (Bonsac) gutter.

Metro gathered that the truck that fell around 7 p.m. on Tuesday by Ezenei axis as a result of a bad road created apprehension among the residents and commuters plying the road.

The deplorable road, which had become a nightmare for residents and commuters, had caused several accidents over the years.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police and state fire service who were on the ground blocking both sides of the road were said to have slept at the scene to avoid scooping as water tankers were also on standby in case of an explosion.

When it was visited the scene on Wednesday morning, the truck was still there along the road, causing traffic gridlock, as substances (chemical) and water were said to have been poured on the road, though there was still apprehension from the residents and passersby.

Some residents who spoke to our correspondent, Mr Eugene Ekene, expressed disappointment over the recurrence of accidents on the road and the sufferings of the masses.

We thanked God that there was no explosion last night. The tanker fell around 7 pm, and every one of us started running. I even saw my leg; I broke my leg when we were running (sic).

“This morning we came and the fuel is smelling everywhere, my fear is that let it not draw fire from this woman frying akara here (sic). We have been talking but won’t she won’t listen to us because the police have gone,” he lamented.

A human rights activist and resident of the area, Mr Okolo Linus, expressed appreciation to the state police command and the state fire service for their efforts to prevent scooping that would have led to the explosion.

He said, “I want to commend Delta State Police command and the State fire service for the efforts put in to prevent scooping and possible explosion, I criticise the lackadaisical attitude of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori towards this road.

“Even though the road is a Federal road, conscience would have compelled the governor to fix the road for the sake of the road users, since President Bola Tinubu is adamant on fixing the road, maybe because he derives joy in the tears of Nigerians when bloodshed happened.”