At least six people were killed on Tuesday night after a gas-laden truck exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State.
The incident occurred within the Chikara Division area of the highway and prompted a response from the police, the Motor Traffic Division, and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps.
An eyewitness who spoke with our correspondent said the truck, which was carrying gas cylinders, exploded while approaching the checkpoint, causing a fire that spread to nearby vehicles.
“The driver of the gas truck and his motor boy were burnt to death. The fire also affected three other trucks, killing their drivers and motor boys. In total, six people lost their lives,” the eyewitness said.
The affected vehicles, with registration numbers from Jigawa State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, were destroyed in the fire.
The victims’ bodies were taken to the General Hospital, Abaji, while the burnt vehicles were removed from the highway to allow traffic movement.
Attempts to get confirmation from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The command’s spokesperson, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, did not respond to calls and messages requesting details about the incident.
