By Reporter

Benin City, October 16, 2026

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep sorrow over the devastating petrol tanker fire that occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Oluku, along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, calling on the Edo State Government to urgently provide relief to victims and investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

In a statement issued by the State Chairman of the party, the PDP described the incident, which reportedly left several people injured and destroyed shops, vehicles and other properties, as a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety measures across the state.

The Chairman extended the party’s sympathies to the victims, their families, traders who lost their means of livelihood and the entire Oluku community, while wishing those receiving medical treatment a speedy recovery.

The opposition party expressed concern over reports that some residents attempted to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker before the fire erupted, describing the development as deeply troubling.

It, however, maintained that beyond the actions of individuals, the tragedy raised important questions about emergency response, public enlightenment and the capacity of relevant agencies to prevent avoidable disasters.

The PDP particularly called for an investigation into the interval between the tanker accident and the outbreak of the fire, including the measures taken to secure the scene, evacuate residents and prevent access to the spilled petroleum product.

According to the party, these circumstances require a thorough and transparent investigation to establish what happened, identify any lapses and prevent a recurrence.

The party urged the Edo State Government to undertake an immediate assessment of the damage, ensure adequate medical attention for injured victims and provide meaningful assistance to families and business owners affected by the inferno.

It also called for a comprehensive review of the operational readiness of the Edo State Fire Service and other emergency response agencies, particularly in the areas of equipment, manpower, deployment capacity and coordination with federal emergency institutions.

The PDP further appealed to residents to avoid scooping petroleum products from accident scenes, warning that no quantity of fuel was worth the loss of human life.

It advocated sustained public enlightenment campaigns, especially in communities situated along major highways where petroleum tankers frequently operate.

While commending medical personnel, firefighters, security operatives, volunteers and other emergency responders who assisted victims, the party stressed that public safety must remain a priority irrespective of political differences.

The Chairman maintained that the responsibility of government was to protect lives and property, while that of a credible opposition was to demand accountability and ensure that such responsibilities were effectively discharged.

The party warned against allowing the Oluku tragedy to become another unfortunate incident that would attract public attention briefly before being forgotten without meaningful corrective action.

“The victims deserve compassion. The affected families deserve support. And the people of Edo State deserve answers and assurances that lessons will be learned,” the party stated.

The Edo PDP concluded by praying for the recovery of the injured and comfort for everyone affected by the disaster.