Diesel tanker explosion kills 3, injures 2

CRASHED: Auto accident involving two cars at Anthony bus stop inward 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos, yesterday.

NO fewer than 3 persons were burnt to death while 2 others were rescued with burns on Monday evening when a diesel tanker exploded in Kogi.

An eyewitness said the accident occurred at about 10 pm on Monday night.

Traffic was at stand still due to the magnitude of the fire for hours until operatives’ of FRSC conducted traffic control to clear the hold up that had built-up.

It was gathered that an articulated vehicle (tanker) carrying diesel and two trailers carrying containers heading for Abuja axis along other smaller vehicles were involved in the accident.

It was further gathered that the tanker trailer heading for Abuja axis with diesel lost control around Living Faith Church after Felele NNPC Filling Station in Lokoja as a result of break failure and then rammed into the middle of two trailers carrying containers and then fell down and exploded.

Some security agents were drafted to the scene of the accident, while officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission evacuated the dead bodies from the scene of the accident.

Speaking on the issue, Kogi Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Stephen Dawulung, who visited the scene said the Dyna pick-up van that was parked by the road side and two other vehicles were also affected by the fire.

He called on drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances to be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit and also maintain all vehicle safety protocols to prevent spillages of content in the event of crash.

He noted that the two persons that were injured have been rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for treatment as he called on the Federal Government to put more bumps on that road to slowdown vehicles speed.

...as NSCDC arrests woman, with 3 explosive devices

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Cross River has arrested one Aniebet John, 31, with three suspected Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Samuel Fadeyi, who paraded the suspect at the command’s headquarters, yesterday, in Calabar, said the suspect was arrested by NSCDC personnel on June 25.

According to him, the suspect was arrested in Akamkpa Local Government Area  of the state while trying to waybill the explosives to an unidentified source in Obubra LGA of the state.

He said: “The lady was trying to send the devices she had sealed in a nylon bag to Obubra LGA. We all know in Cross River as of now that Obubra LGA is exclusive because of the conflict between Nko community in Yakurr LGA and Onyadama in Obubra local government area.

“Sending explosives through public transport is illegal, hence we had the cause to intercept this lady who said she was sent by somebody to send it to another person. We are on the trail of the other suspects who are also involved in it but now at large.”

The commandant said investigation carried out revealed that the husband of the suspect is a blast master who works in a construction company.

He explained that the suspected explosives were some of those used in one of the construction companies in Akamkpa, which the husband might have smuggled.

He further said the command would transfer the matter to the Department of State Service for further investigation.

Gunmen kidnap woman leader

A woman leader in Isuokoma community of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Mrs Juliana Uzor, was reportedly kidnapped by gunmen.

Vanguard gathered that the woman leader was abducted in her farmland over a week ago, without any hope of being released by her abductors.

It would be recalled that the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Ambrose Ogbu, was kidnapped last Wednesday.

The abductors of the royal father have demanded N2 million ransom for his release.

Sources in the community who confirmed the abduction of Mrs Uzor said she was kidnapped four days before the traditional ruler was abducted at his Palace.

One of the leaders in the community, who pleaded anonymity, lamented that both the woman leader and their traditional ruler were still in the hands of the kidnappers.

He said the two incidents have caused serious fear and panic in the hitherto peaceful community.

He begged their abductors to release them unhurt.

Culled from Vanguard