The combined efforts of Security operatives on Friday even averted an impending disaster in Kogi State as a result of a fuel tanker accident, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi State, Tenimu Etuku, said in Lokoja that the accident occurred at the Crusher on the Felele Expressway around 5p.m.
The sector commander said that the truck carrying fuel was heading to Abuja when the tank disconnected from the head and rolled into a ditch.
“Nobody was hurt or killed in the accident. The tanker driver and his assistant escaped unhurt,” he said.
When the accident occurred, he said, the FRSC patrol team quickly rushed to the scene, and invited the police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Mobile Police unit for security cover.
“The reason is to ensure that the community members do not gain access to the tanker and attempt scooping the fuel to cause fire outbreak. We don’t want a repeat of what happened in Niger and Jigawa states , where several lives of people were lost to fire incidences on attemt to scoop fuel, ” he said.
According to him, some people attempted to scoop the fuel before the arrival of his personnel but that they were chased away.
Mr Etuku said that that the area haf been properly condoned off by security operatives and some leaders of the Crusher community.
He said, “The community leaders and the security agencies have agreed to ensure that nobody is allowed to go into the ditch with the aim of scooping fuel. ”
The commander appealed to members of Crusher community to avoid any temptation to scoop the outpouring fuel to avoid any fire disaster that could result in loss of lives.
(NAN)
