…Says Fynfield Petroleum Driver Ignored Brake Failure Warning
Residents of Ebighi Anwa Udung Esio in Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have been thrown into shock following the destruction of permanent buildings and properties worth over ₦266 million by a petroleum tanker belonging to Fynfield Petroleum.
The fuel tanker reportedly exploded and razed four houses, domestic properties and economic crops valued at millions of naira to the ground on 23rd October, 2026.
One of the property owners, Prince Sylvester O. Edet, who is also the founder of Chief Oku Akaninyi Foundation, Ebighi Anwa Udung Esio, has called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, and the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, to intervene and ensure justice.
In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, Prince Edet reported wanton destruction, malicious damages and negligence caused to his building, domestic properties and economic crops by the driver and conductor of a Fynfield Petroleum tanker with Batch No. TL 990OLA.
According to the petition, the incident occurred on 23rd October, 2026, at about 4:45 pm in Ebighi Anwa Udung Esio community.
Prince Edet valued his permanent building at N200,000,000 (Two Hundred Million Naira), economic crops at N15.5 million and household properties at N50.6 million, bringing the total loss to N266.1 million.
He alleged that discreet investigation revealed that the driver noticed brake failure right from the depot where the product was loaded at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, but was advised to park the vehicle and effect repairs, which he allegedly refused.
The petitioner stated that the driver continued the journey despite the faulty brake and, on getting to a hill in the community, could not engage the gear system, leading to the crash that destroyed his building and other valuables.
“Right now, I cannot articulate the emotional, economic and social trauma caused by the negligence of this driver and his cohorts which has rendered me homeless with my entire family,” Prince Edet lamented.
He passionately appealed to the Commissioner of Police to dispatch his best officers to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to justice, while also calling on Governor Umo Eno to intervene and come to his aid.
“I have struggled for years to put this building in place. I am now homeless. I count on your urgent attention,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Fynfield Petroleum for reaction were unsuccessful, while police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.