Three people were burnt dead, while two others sustained an injury on late Monday night when a fully loaded petrol tanker burst into flames after a brake failure in Lokoja-Felele-Abuja Road in Kogi State.

According to Stephen Dawulung, Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, the incident occurred at Felele quarters on the Lokoja-Kabba road around 8:17 p.m.

Mr. Dawulung explained that the tanker was fully loaded with diesel and while descending the sloppy section of the road it experienced brake failure which resulted in a clash with a Dyna pick-up van. It later burst into flames after a crash, killing three persons.

“The fire of the crashed tanker resulted in the burning of two other trailers and a Dyna pick-up van on the road. Three persons were burnt to death while two other victims were rescued with burns and rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for medical attention, and the corpse was deposited at the mortuary,” Mr. Dawulung said”.

“At that point, traffic became standstill due to the magnitude of the fire until it subsided, making operatives of FRSC conduct traffic control and clear the hold-up”.

The FRSC officer blamed the tanker driver for “dangerous driving.”

Mr. Dawulung advised drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances, to be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit.

“They (drivers) must also maintain all vehicle safety protocols like the use of safety valves to prevent spillage of content in the event of a crash,” he stated.

The commander, however, directed a full investigation of the crash as he sympathized with the bereaved and families of the injured.