JOS, Nigeria – In a tragic twist of fate, the lives of 13 persons were abruptly ended, while 28 shops were destroyed in an unfortunate tanker explosion at Bauchi Road junction, Jos North Local Government Area.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the details of the incident, which also saw several vehicles and tricycles damaged.
In a press briefing on Friday, April 28, 2023, Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the command, described the disastrous scene.
“The tanker crashed due to brake failure, causing not only a devastating loss of life but also significant material destruction. Eight other vehicles, six tricycles, and two motorcycles were destroyed in the incident,” Alabo explained.
According to the PPRO, ten other individuals sustained injuries of varying severity and are currently undergoing treatment in various hospitals across the state. “Bodies of the deceased have also been buried according to Islamic rites,” he added.
Alabo disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Bartholomew Onyeka, visited the scene following the incident. The Commissioner expressed profound regret over the actions of some local youths who, in the aftermath of the explosion, burnt down the official vehicle of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.
The PPRO relayed the Commissioner’s message to the public: “The Commissioner has advised residents of the state to remain law-abiding at all times. Our collective focus should be on supporting the affected families and working to prevent such incidents in the future.”
As the city grapples with the fallout from this tragic event, authorities are calling for calm and unity. Meanwhile, investigations into the precise cause of the brake failure are ongoing as the community mourns the loss of life and the severe impact on local businesses.
