Two people have been confirmed dead and two others critically injured after a tanker conveying diesel caught fire in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday near the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat after the tanker reportedly collided with a stationary truck and overturned.
The impact triggered a fire that spread to nearby shops and structures, destroying several shops, goods and vehicles.
The tanker driver was reportedly trapped inside the vehicle but was rescued from the burning tanker and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, police officers from the Odukpani Division were deployed to secure the area and manage the situation, while the Cross River State Fire Service responded to contain the blaze.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Efa Nyong, later led a joint assessment team comprising CR-SEMA officials and members of the Nigerian Red Cross Society to the scene.
The team was received by the Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Council, Etim Asido, who took the officials around the affected areas and briefed them on the incident and extent of the damage.
The assessment team observed the impact of the fire on shops and other properties as firefighters continued efforts to completely extinguish the blaze.
Asido commended the Fire Service for its prompt response and thanked the state government and CR-SEMA for their intervention.
Nyong sympathised with the families of the deceased and injured victims, as well as business owners whose shops and goods were destroyed.
He assured the victims that the state government, through CR-SEMA and other relevant stakeholders, would continue to assess the situation and consider appropriate interventions.
Authorities also advised residents, traders and motorists to stay away from the affected area to allow emergency responders unhindered access.
The incident has renewed concerns over the risks associated with tanker movements, particularly around busy commercial areas and communities along major roads.