At least six people lost their lives on Tuesday night after a truck carrying gas cylinders exploded at an Army checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway in Kogi State.
The explosion occurred around the Chikara Division area and sparked a massive fire that prompted an emergency response from the police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Motor Traffic Division.
According to an eyewitness, the gas-laden truck exploded as it approached the checkpoint, causing flames to spread rapidly to nearby vehicles.
"The driver of the gas truck and his assistant were burnt beyond recognition. The fire also spread to three other trucks, killing their drivers and assistants. In total, six people died in the incident," the eyewitness said.
The fire destroyed four trucks, including vehicles registered in Jigawa State, Lagos State, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Emergency responders later evacuated the bodies of the victims to the General Hospital in Abaji, while the burnt vehicles were removed from the highway to restore normal traffic flow.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had not officially commented on the incident. Calls and text messages sent to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Salisu Oyiza Afusat, were not responded to.
