By Olawale Lamina
The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, on Tuesday activated the agency’s Benin Operations Office to promptly coordinate response exercise, sequel to a tanker fire incident, which occured along Auchi–Jattu Road, Auchi, in Edo State.
The incident took place at about 8:00 pm on 17 December 2025 when a tanker reportedly lost control and upturned, leading to the spillage of its content into an underground drainage system. The spillage subsequently triggered multiple explosions at various points along the drainage channel, causing panic within the affected area.
According to a release by the agency’s Head of Press Unit, Manzor Ezekiel, following a distress call received from the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the NEMA Benin Operations Office was immediately activated and commenced coordination with Edo SEMA, the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), and military authorities in Auchi to manage the incident.
As to the extent of damage and casualty caused by the incident, the release gave a vivid account by stating that, “Preliminary reports indicate that no fatalities were recorded as at the time of this report. However, a total of 25 persons sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to different medical facilities within Auchi and its environs for treatment.
“At the Teaching Hospital, three male victims were admitted, including two with lacerations and one with a third-degree burn.
“At Amazing Grace Clinic, Water Board, twelve victims (ten males and two females) were treated, comprising eight persons with burns ranging from first to third degree, one case of shock, and three cases of lacerations.
“At Unique Medical Centre, Obe Street, four male victims with lacerations were treated, stitched, and subsequently discharged.
“At City Hospital, Warrake Road, two victims—a male and a female, father and daughter from the same family—were admitted with deep cuts, lacerations, and minor burns.
“At Winners Hospital, Olele Junction, four male victims were treated, including one with a third-degree burn, one with head injury and bleeding from the nostrils, and two others with minor bruises.”
The management of NEMA therefore assured that the agency will continue to monitor the situation closely in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, in order to to ensure effective coordination, proper medical care for the injured, and timely response to any emerging needs.
It added that more updates on the development will be provided as the situation unfolds.
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