A devastating fire incident occurred on Saturday, November 19, 2022, along the Benin-Akure Road by Owan Bridge in Sobe Town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. A diesel tanker lost control, resulting in a massive fire that engulfed five houses, several vehicles, kiosks, and other properties.
According to Chidi Nwabuzor, Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, “The accident was caused by the reckless driving of the tanker driver, but fortunately, no life was lost.”
Commissioner of Police Mohammed Dankwara visited the scene to assess the damage and sympathize with the victims. He was accompanied by CSP Isah Nasiru Hamisu, DPO Ekiadolor Division, and other officers. CSP Joshua Esiolee, DPO Sobe Division, conducted the CP around the affected areas.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the tanker driver was traveling from Benin City to the northern part of the country when the vehicle skidded off the road, spilling its content and catching fire. The inferno destroyed five houses, four kiosks, two cars (Sienna and Audi), a motorcycle, and several other items. Miraculously, no life was lost, and no one was injured or hospitalized.
Commissioner Dankwara sympathized with the victims, assuring them that the state government was aware of the incident and would take necessary actions. He commended the Okhomu Oil Company firefighters for their prompt response in extinguishing the fire, highlighting their patriotic act as a testament to the community policing philosophy of the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman.
