The Rivers state Police command have commenced a manhunt of the driver of the ill-fated petrol tanker that burst into flames and claimed the lives of over 100 persons in Ula-Okogbe in Ahoada West local government area of Rivers state on Thursday.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr. Benjamin Ugwuegbulem told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that police was still searching for the driver and appealed to the villagers living along the East-West Road to assist them in this regard.
The PPRO however, clarified that the search for the driver is not to prosecute him, but to assist in the investigation.
LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered that the middle-aged driver managed to escape from the truck before it went up in flames and felling down on the way-side along the East-West Road, but without injuries.
An indigene of the community, who simply gave his name as James told our correspondent that the driver started running towards the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road after warning the villagers not to get close to the vehicle.
He said; “When the driver managed to come out of the fallen truck and saw people running towards the tanker to scoop fuel, he started shouting; don’t go there, it may explode, please; don’t go close, it may catch fire. He started running towards Ahoada and the tanker exploded almost immediately he left.”
Commenting on the driver of the tanker, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety , Commission (FRSC) in the state, Dr. Kayode Olagunnju told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND on telephone that the rescue teams that arrived at the scene of the incident did not see the driver.
Olagunju however, said the task before personnel of the FRSC and other agencies at the scene of the fire disaster were to help in rescue efforts and not to search for the driver of the ill-fated vehicle.
Meanwhile, Anambra state governor, Mr. Peter Obi has condole with his Rivers state counterpart, Hon. Chibuike Amaechi over the incident.
Gov. Obi said that it was another case involving the loss of lives in such a magnitude and circumstance that was heart-rendering and pathetic.
In a condolence letter, Gov. Obi said; “ On behalf of the Government and people of Anambra state, I condole the Government and people of Rivers State in this depressing and touching incident.