A fire outbreak involving a petrol tanker gutted a fuel station in Itam, near the Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State in the early hours of Saturday.

The Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, ASP Timfon John, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said there was no casualty and that an investigation to unravel the cause of the incident has commenced.

“We received information about a fire outbreak in Itam, and officers were immediately dispatched, there was no casualty and the investigation is still ongoing”, ASP John said

Our correspondent reports that the fuel station caught fire when a truckload of Premium Motor Spirit reportedly supplying fuel to the station went up in flames.

A thick smoke from the fire soon attracted a large crowd of people who stood helplessly by, while Fire Service personnel battled to put out the fire.

Motorists who spoke with journalists expressed concerns about the incident, praying that it should not lead to the loss of lives.

‘What we are afraid of is it resulting in a loss of life, the property and resources lost, might be regained but we don’t want any human life to be affected, ” one motorist said.

Jessica Chuks, a female pre-nursery student at a private school in Uja village, Oru Oboro, in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, Okoronta, died after it was suspected that she had consumed a liquid substance while attending class.

While Okoronta Chuks, the father of the deceased student, claims his daughter died after consuming a dangerous liquid that was carelessly stored within the school, the school administration asserts that it took multiple actions to save the child’s life in a clinic following a suspected Kerosene drink.

Speaking about the tragic incident, the father of the deceased child stated that on November 21, 2024, he received a call from the school’s headmistress telling him that his child had been taken to a Clinic in Nnono Oboro after she drank Kerosene.

Chuks claimed that before his daughter was brought to the hospital, he was not even notified.

“Imagine, they took my child to a clinic without my knowing! I believe as an affected parent, I should have a choice of the hospital and also we have a family Doctor. So I took a bike ride to the place as she mentioned. When I got there, it was a horrific scenario.

“We were also hopeful that the child would be revived but sadly, she gave up”, Mr Chuks said in tears.

The father, who demanded justice for his deceased daughter, claimed that the Nigerian Police Force’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters had been notified of the situation.

Speaking on the subject, James Uchegbuo, secretary of the Oboro Council of President Generals Forum, stated that no dangerous materials should be stored in offices or classrooms, particularly those where children are present.

Uchegbuo advised the police to provide a reliable investigative report in order to provide justice to the family of the innocent child.

In response to ZINGTIE’s inquiry regarding whether the issue had been reported to the Abia State Command’s Ikwuano Divisional Headquarters, ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed that the matter is being investigated.

“Yes, we have such a report. It was reported and investigation is ongoing”, ASP Chinaka said.

Amarachi Nwosu, 32, cannot forget the chaos that engulfed the Holy Trinity Catholic Church grounds this morning. Although she and her three-year-old son almost died, she is apprehensive about where the next meal will come from.

Clutching her three-year-old son, Obinna, she recalls the desperate push of the crowd as thousands scrambled to receive palliatives.

“I didn’t even know what was happening. I just wanted to get food for my children. The next thing, I felt people pushing me, and I lost my balance,” Amarachi whispered, her voice trembling.

For Amarachi, like many others, the event was supposed to be a blessing. She had heard about the church’s palliative distribution from a neighbour in Mararaba.

Along with her son, she arrived at the venue around 5 a.m., hopeful that they would leave with something to eat for the week.

“It’s been hard. The cost of food is unbearable. Even a cup of rice is now a luxury for us,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks.

As the sun rose, so did the crowd’s desperation. Witnesses described how people jostled for space, ignoring pleas from volunteers to maintain order. Amid the confusion, Amarachi fell, her son slipping from her grasp.

“I thought I had lost Obinna. I screamed for help, but it felt like no one could hear me. A young man pulled me up, and I saw a woman holding my son. I will never forget her kindness,” she cried.