Former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Hon. Sam Ode, has called on both the State and National Emergency Management Agencies, non-governmental organisations and other related government agencies, to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the people of Oshigbudu in Agatu local government area of Benue State to avert the impending humanitarian crisis in the area.

Hon. Ode made this call on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at his Makurdi residence when he received the tragic news of a petrol tanker explosion that left scores of people dead and property worth millions of naira burnt to ashes when the driver of the tanker transporting petrol lost control and fell over spilling its content into people’s houses and business premises at the Oshigbudu/Obagaji junction of the Otukpo-Oweto federal highway, resulting in a huge explosion, inflicting damage of immeasurable magnitude on residents of the affected locality.

The former Minister, who is a frontline governorship aspirant in Benue stated: “There is already a humanitarian crisis in the affected community. Apart from the dead, many who are seriously injured need medical attention that are scarce. It is a serious emergency that demands the attention of Federal and State authorities as well as the intervention of international and non-state actors.

"Those who managed to escape the tragic inferno now face the sad reality of homelessness and hunger as their homes, food and other means of livelihood have gone up in flames. This is a traumatic experience for many in the community and the victims need urgent response to their fundamental needs, such as emergency medical care, food, clean water and safe shelter, among other needs, all of which have become a huge challenge.

“I therefore call on the State and National Emergency Management Agencies and other related government agencies, non-governmental organizations at both national and international levels, as well as public-spirited individuals, to please come to the aid of the people of Oshigbudu by urgently providing relief materials that would cushion the impact of this unfortunate accident on the affected families and assuage their plight.”

Hon. Ode, who was visibly disturbed when he heard the sad news, commiserated with the families that lost their loved ones and properties in the inferno.

“Words are never adequate to express the proper sense of loss at a time like this. My thoughts are with all the victims of the inferno at this moment of pain and colossal losses either due to bereavement or loss of property.

“Our hopes are however set on full recovery from this fire accident."

In a related circumstance, the former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sincerely empathizes with the people of Adoka Ehaje, Icho and Entekpa communities in Otukpo local government area of Benue State over last Saturday’s destruction of private and public buildings/utilities occasioned by heavy rainstorm in the area.

Hon. Ode who described the destruction of homes, offices, schools and business premises as “highly regrettable” also called on relevant government agencies, NGOs, charitable individuals and all illustrious sons and daughters of Otukpo to promptly come to the rescue of the affected families and communities to forestall another imminent humanitarian crisis.


Signed: Rt. Hon Moses Oduh, Zonal Coordinator, Benue South Senatorial District