Olu Samuel, Lokoja

Scores of people were feared burnt to death in a tanker accident that occurred near Ochadamu junction in the Eastern flank of Kogi state.

The accident was said to have occurred around 2 pm on Thursday.

Eye witness account told our correspondent that most of the dead were burnt beyond recognition while up to thirty vehicles got burnt.

“I learnt that the accident was caused by a disagreement between soldiers and tanker drivers. Soldiers reportedly shot two tanker drivers and their colleagues in anger, used a tanker loaded with fuel to barricade the highway leading to the ancient town of Idah. People gathered and pleaded with the tanker drivers to remove the tanker that they used to block the road but they refused” our source said.

According to him, “Suddenly, a speeding coal truck ran into the petrol tanker causing it to explode. An inferno engulfed the scene, killing scores of people and injuring many others”.

Our source said no fewer that 20 corpses some of which were burnt beyond recognition have been counted so far while about 50 sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The Federal Road Safety Corps when contacted said that officers were still at the spot. He pleafed for more time to compile the casuality figure.

“My officers are still busy and vehicles are still burning s we speak .I will get back with detailed information as soon as possible.”