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 truck, reportedly conveying gas cylinders, burst into flames as it approached the checkpoint within the Chikara Division, triggering a massive inferno that engulfed three other trucks.
According to eyewitnesses, the gas truck’s driver and his assistant died in the explosion, while the drivers and motor boys of the three affected trucks were also burnt to death, bringing the death toll to six.
The destroyed trucks, bearing registration numbers from Jigawa State, Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory, were consumed by the fire.
Police officers, Federal Road Safety Corps personnel and Motor Traffic Division officials responded to the scene. The victims’ bodies were evacuated to the General Hospital, Abaji, while the wreckage was cleared to restore traffic along the highway.
The Kogi State Police Command had yet to officially comment on the incident as of the time of filing the report.
