Fears, Panic As Residents Scoop Fuel From Fallen Tanker In Delta 

There was palpable fear and panic at the ever-busy Asaba-Ughelli expressway in Delta state on Wednesday as some residents from neighbouring communities around Ossissa junction, staked their lives scooping fuel which spilled out of a fallen tanker.

Sources said that the residents, undermining the danger had swooped on the area defying fears to scoop fuel with buckets, jerricans and other containers of various sizes from the tanker which caused panic among motorists plying the route.

It was learnt that the tanker laden with 16,000 litres of the highly inflammable content crashed earlier in the day with the contents gushing out.

A source from the area said that the fuel scoopers did not mine the presence of security operatives as they scrambled for the fuel.

According to the source, the driver of the ill-fated tanker was trying to maneuver to the other side of the road when it fell.

“The tanker wanted to deliver the fuel to a petrol station in Ogwahi-Uku but unfortunately fell at the Ossissa junction.

“People are not afraid, they mediately started fetching the fuel from the tanker,” the source said.

There was no report that the tanker exploded or casualty as of time of filling this report.

Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Delta State, Kenneth Ogbonna, said he was unaware of the incident, adding that he was on vacation.

However, the owner of the consignment who spoke to newsmen on the condition of anonymity, expressed sadness over the incident.