Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has blamed the proprietor of a petroleum tanker for the fireplace incident that burnt a number of individuals and destroyed items value tens of millions of naira in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.
DAILY POST studies that the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2026.
Okpebholo, who visited the scene of the incident on Friday, October 16, 2026, blamed the tanker proprietor for bringing one other tanker to switch the gas with out taking the required security precautions.
The governor, who expressed unhappiness over the incident, added that the catastrophe may have been averted if residents had stayed away from the scene of the fireplace involving petroleum merchandise.
He, nevertheless, assured merchants at Oluku Market and others affected by the fireplace that his administration wouldn’t abandon them.
He promised to rebuild the market, which was destroyed by the fireplace, and assist merchants who misplaced their outlets and items within the incident.
“We are sorry. We, as human beings, also needs to take precautions at any time when one thing like this occurs. Before the explosion, folks have been scooping gas.
“But the state and federal governments have spent a lot of money on advertisements to educate the public to stay away from such disasters, but people won’t listen,” he said.
Okpebholo, who disclosed that he had spoken with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, concerning the incident, famous that she expressed unhappiness and sympathy with the victims and the households of those that misplaced their lives.
The governor additionally visited the Burns and Plastic Surgery Ward of the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), the place a number of the victims have been receiving remedy.
Addressing the victims’ dad and mom on the hospital, the governor reiterated the necessity for residents to heed security warnings on the hazards of scooping gas.
He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to rebuilding the market and serving to the affected merchants recuperate their livelihoods.
Earlier, the market secretary, Blessing Itoje, appealed to the governor and his entourage for help, saying the merchants couldn’t salvage any of their items earlier than the fireplace destroyed their outlets and wares.
“We couldn’t even choose something; all the things burnt to ashes. Some of us are widows, and we use our meagre earnings to take care of our households.
“Some of the traders were admitted to hospital due to the shock; some are on oxygen. Please, our father, some of us are servicing loans as I speak,” she said.
Another dealer, Julie Ologbosere, additionally appealed to the governor for assist, saying the merchants had been left with nothing.
