The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to provide relief materials, financial assistance and rehabilitation support to victims of the petrol tanker explosion that destroyed shops, vehicles and other property at Oluku in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The House also called for the rehabilitation of dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku to prevent a recurrence of the incident, which claimed lives, left several persons injured and deprived traders of their sources of livelihood.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved at plenary by a member representing a constituency in Edo State, Omosede Igbinedion.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, when a fuel tanker reportedly lost control near Oluku Market and overturned, spilling petrol that subsequently caught fire. Despite warnings from relevant authorities, some residents reportedly gathered at the scene to scoop the spilled fuel before the fire broke out and spread to nearby businesses.
The resulting inferno destroyed shops, stalls, vehicles and goods, leaving affected traders and their families facing significant financial losses.
Presenting the motion, Igbinedion said the House noted with sadness the loss of lives, serious injuries, extensive property damage and displacement of traders arising from the explosion.
“The House notes with sadness the petrol tanker explosion and fire outbreak on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Oluku along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, which caused loss of lives, serious injuries, extensive property damage and the displacement of traders.
“The tanker overturned, spilling highly inflammable petroleum products before the fire spread to nearby businesses and Oluku Market.
“We are aware that the fire destroyed shops, stalls, vehicles, goods and other property, depriving traders and families of their livelihoods;
“The House is concerned that many victims lost lifetime savings and face severe economic hardship and indebtedness,” she said.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over reports of fatalities and severe burns sustained by victims, some of whom required emergency treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and other medical facilities.
She said the incident had raised fresh concerns about road safety along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, particularly the transportation of petroleum products through densely populated communities.
While commending Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for visiting the scene and affected victims and pledging to rebuild the damaged market and support traders, Igbinedion said the scale of the destruction required intervention by the Federal Government.
She said federal assistance would complement the state government’s efforts, provide immediate relief to affected residents and traders, restore livelihoods and help prevent similar incidents.
Consequently, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency to assess the extent of the disaster and provide relief materials, financial support and rehabilitation assistance to those affected.
It also called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the Edo State Government to rebuild the affected market and facilitate the recovery of businesses and livelihoods disrupted by the fire.
The lawmakers further urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to urgently inspect and rehabilitate dangerous sections of the Benin-Lagos Expressway around Oluku.
In another resolution, the House directed the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other relevant agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tanker accident, fuel spillage, evacuation efforts and subsequent fire outbreak.
The agencies were also asked to recommend measures to prevent a recurrence, particularly in communities along major highways where fuel tankers operate close to markets, shops and residential areas.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers associated with scooping fuel from overturned tankers, an activity that can expose residents to fires and explosions.
Such incidents also underscore the need for prompt emergency response, effective enforcement of road safety regulations and public awareness of the risks of approaching spilled petroleum products.