Edo fire: Okpebholo blames tanker owner, promises to rebuild market

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has blamed the owner of a petroleum tanker for the fire incident that burnt several persons and destroyed goods worth millions of naira in Oluku, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST reports 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 owner for bringing another tanker to transfer the fuel without taking the necessary safety precautions.

The governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, added that the disaster could have been avoided if residents had stayed away from the scene of the fire involving petroleum products.

He, however, assured traders at Oluku Market and others affected by the fire that his administration would not abandon them.

He promised to rebuild the market, which was destroyed by the fire, and support traders who lost their shops and goods in the incident.

“We are sorry. We, as human beings, should also take precautions whenever something like this happens. Before the explosion, people were scooping fuel.

“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 stated.

Okpebholo, who disclosed that he had spoken with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, about the incident, noted that she expressed sadness and sympathy with the victims and the families of those who lost their lives.

The governor also visited the Burns and Plastic Surgery Ward of the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where some of the victims were receiving treatment.

Addressing the victims’ parents at the hospital, the governor reiterated the need for residents to heed safety warnings on the dangers of scooping fuel.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the market and helping the affected traders recover their livelihoods.

Earlier, the market secretary, Blessing Itoje, appealed to the governor and his entourage for assistance, saying the traders could not salvage any of their goods before the fire destroyed their shops and wares.

“We couldn’t even pick anything; everything burnt to ashes. Some of us are widows, and we use our meagre earnings to care for our families.

“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 stated.

Another trader, Julie Ologbosere, also appealed to the governor for support, saying the traders had been left with nothing.