Tanker explosion rocks Ondo Town; Police officers killed

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A fuel-laden tanker exploded on Saturday evening in Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area, Ondo State.

The incident occurred around 6:30 pm in the Soka area when the tanker veered off the road into a ditch and caught fire.

Thick smoke blanketed the area, reducing visibility and causing severe traffic congestion.

Ondo State Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commander, Samuel Ibitoye, confirmed the incident, stating no casualties were recorded.

Police Officers Die in Ore Crash
In a separate incident on Thursday, three police officers and one suspect lost their lives in an auto crash in the same town.

The crash occurred when a speeding trailer crossed the median and collided with a police van carrying officers from the Monitoring Unit of the Ondo State Police Command.

The officers were returning to Ore after an arrest in Akure. A surviving officer, injured in the crash, was rushed to a hospital, while the deceased were taken to a local mortuary.

Ondo Police Command spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya described the incident as tragic and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. Investigations are underway.