Tragedy in Cross River: 12 Dead and Dozens Injured Following Petrol Tanker Explosion in Ogoja

Police confirm 12 fatalities and dozens of injuries after a petrol tanker exploded during transloading in Ogoja, Cross River State. Investigations are ongoing.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 3:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria.

Fatal Explosion During Transloading

A routine fuel transloading operation turned into a mass casualty event in Ogoja, Cross River State, on Wednesday. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, a fire broke out while fuel was being moved from an ill-fated tanker that had reportedly fallen into a nearby river. The resulting explosion and inferno engulfed residents and bystanders who were at the scene, leading to immediate fatalities and widespread destruction.

Emergency Response and Victim Evacuation

Following the blast, the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) for Ogoja and multiple patrol teams were mobilized to cordon off the area. ASP Sunday confirmed that 12 corpses were evacuated from the scene. Due to the religious affiliations of several victims, the remains were released to the Hausa Muslim community and respective families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites. Survivors were rushed to the General Hospital, Ogoja, where they are currently receiving treatment for severe burns and other blast-related injuries.

Injuries and Security Personnel Affected

While the official death toll stands at 12, local sources report that at least 38 people sustained injuries of varying severity. Among the wounded are unconfirmed reports of a soldier and a police officer who were reportedly caught in the escalation while attempting to manage the initial scene. Security reinforcements were eventually deployed to restrict access to the site and prevent a secondary explosion as fire teams worked to contain the remaining blaze.