At least 28 people were killed on Wednesday following the explosion of a petrol tanker at Felele area of Lokoja, Kogi State capital.
According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 0800 hours (GMT +1) when the tanker lost control and rammed into oncoming vehicles.
For over an hour, no fire service within the state capital responded to the emergency.
Bisi Kazeem, spokesman for the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), said nine children were involved in the accident, which happened opposite a petrol station along Lokoja-Zariagi highway in the state.
Reacting to the explosion, the Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, expressed shock and sorrow.
In the statement signed by his spokesperson, Onogwu Muhammed, the governor expressed his condolence to the families of those affected by the occurrence.
“It is very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, many vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire.”
The governor, however, urged the students of Kogi State Polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful, stating that he shared in their grieving moment over the death of some of their colleagues in the disaster.
Traffic accidents are common in Nigeria, where roads are bad and safety standards poor.
