AGENE GODWIN, Benin
An undisclosed amount of money was Thursday burnt when two bullion vans laden with cash had a head-on collision with a tanker laden with product suspected to be petrol at Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
As if the impact of the collision was not enough, two commercial buses coming at top speed rammed into the wreckage and got trapped beneath the heavy duty vehicles which resulted in flames.
Although the number of human casualties was not yet known, eyewitnesses said that the impact of the collision resulted in fire as the tanker, the two bullion vans and the commercial buses went up in thick flames.
Thick smoke billowed into the sky while the smell of fresh, mint Naira notes could be perceived by on lookers who maintained a safe distance from the scene of the disaster.
The situation led to diversion of traffic, converting the dual carriage Benin-Asaba-Onitsha highway to a single lane road. Passengers were stranded as the traffic continued to build-up on the single lane.
Meanwhile, stern looking security operatives were said to have mobilized to the scene following reinforcement from nearby security formations, apparently to ward-off invasion of the bullion vans by locals.
Contacted, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Delta State, Mr. Rindom Kumven told Newsmen that multiple vehicles were involved in the crash.
Kumven stated that although the accident occurred within the jurisdiction of Edo State, he had to mobilize his men at Issele-Uku unit of his command to join in the rescue operation.
He however stated that information about the tragic incident was still scanty, adding that the number of human casualties was yet to be determined by rescue operators.
“Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash, and actually there was loss of lives but I can’t give you the figure right now. The tanker was carrying a product, and that was why it went up in flames.
“For now, I can’t give you a comprehensive report about the cause of the accident but even though it occurred in Edo State, I called men at Issele-Uku to mobilize to the scene for rescue operation,” Kumven said.
