Six dead, goods worth millions destroyed as gas truck explodes at Kogi army checkpoint

At least six individuals have lost their lives following a tragic explosion involving a gas-laden truck at a military checkpoint along the Abuja-Lokoja Federal Highway on Tuesday night.

The incident took place within the jurisdiction of the Chikara Division in Kogi State, prompting emergency responses from the Nigeria Police Force, the Motor Traffic Division (MTD), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

According to reports, the truck, which was carrying gas cylinders, detonated as it approached the military checkpoint, igniting a blaze that swiftly spread to other vehicles queued in front.

The driver of the gas truck and his assistant (motor boy) were burnt to death instantly. The blaze quickly engulfed three other heavy-duty trucks waiting in line, resulting in the deaths of their drivers and helpers.

The three wrecked trucks bore registration numbers from Jigawa State, Lagos State, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Emergency responders recovered the bodies of the six victims and took them to the morgue at the General Hospital in Abaji.

Officials from the FRSC and police cleared the charred wreckage from the road to reopen the highway and restore traffic along this busy federal transit route.