48 Hours to Christmas celebrations: Six killed, 40 houses destroyed in Kwara state tanker explosion

A tanker explosion which occurred on Wednesday at Gaika area of Jebba town in Kwara State has claimed lives of six persons and 30 houses destroyed in an inferno, as well as number of people injured.

Penpushing reports that the incident which occurred barely 48 hours to Christmas celebration was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) in the state to Hakeem Adekunle

The agency spokesman said the injured as at the time of filing this report were receiving treatment in the hospital, adding that both the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) and State Fire Service eventually control the fire before spreading to other parts of the town.

“On getting to the incident, we fully engaged and firstly curbed the further spreading of the fire to the others remaining buildings in the town. And later on, we furthered to the cooling of the affected buildings before we were able to overcome the whole inferno.”

The Kwara State Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye sympathised with the victims and expressed sadness at the development especially with the loss of lives and millions of naira worth of properties and farmlands.

‘The Governor  sends his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. He urges them to take heart and remain calm as believers,” ,the statement reads, adding that the Governor has also directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to quickly move in to determine the material loss.

Penpushing further reports that, the Speaker House of Assembly Rt Hon Danladi Salihu in the same vein sympathised with the victims, stating that,’I am saddened by the unfortunate incident that claimed several lives and render scores homeless, it is indeed a black day for us. We mourn with the good people of Jebba and condole with the Oba of Jebba and the affected families. Our prayers and thoughts are with them in this trying time”,

The Speaker in a statement by his aide, Ibrahim Sherif prayed for repose of the souls lost to the incident and speedy recovery for those injured, assuring that the legislature will work with the executive to ensure victims get support.

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