Residents of Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State, were thrown into panic on Wednesday evening after multiple explosions ripped through three different parts of the town.
The blasts, which occurred almost simultaneously around 6:30 p.m., destroyed properties worth millions of naira, including shops and residential buildings.
Eyewitnesses reported that the first explosion occurred along Igbei Road, followed by another at the Igbo Shade area near an AP filling station, and a third along the Auchi–Okene Road close to Winners Junction. The near-simultaneous nature of the blasts initially led residents to suspect a coordinated attack.
However, police investigations later revealed that the explosions were triggered by fuel leakage from a tanker accident earlier in the day.
According to ASP Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, the incident began when a fuel tanker fell along the expressway. Residents reportedly rushed to scoop spilled fuel, unaware of the danger.
She explained that the fuel seeped into underground tunnels and later ignited, causing three separate explosions across Auchi.
The Police Area Commander in Auchi quickly mobilised officers to the scene to disperse crowds and prevent further disaster. Teams from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and Area Command cordoned off affected areas to safeguard lives and property.
ASP Ikoedem confirmed that while properties were destroyed, the swift response of security operatives helped avert mass casualties. She assured residents that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of damage and prevent future occurrences.
An eyewitness described the incident as shocking and urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation. Community leaders have also called for stricter enforcement of safety measures for fuel transportation to avoid similar tragedies.