At least 23 persons have been confirmed dead and many others injured following a tanker explosion at the Felele axis of Lokoja the Kogi State capital.

Over five vehicles were completely burnt in the road crash and eyewitnesses say some of the victims include students of Kogi State Polytechnic.

Confirming the casualty figure to newsmen, the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kogi State, IDRIS FIKA says at least 23 bodies have been pulled from the wreckage.

The accident occurred after a truck laden with Premium Motor Spirit lost control following a brake failure and rammed into five other oncoming vehicles.

In a related development, the Kogi State Governor, YAHAYA BELLO, has expressed shock and sorrow at the tanker explosion that took place in the capital Lokoja.

In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Onogwu Muhammed, Governor BELLO expressed his condolence to the families of those affected by the occurrence.

Governor BELLO however, urged the students of Kogi State Polytechnic to remain calm and peaceful, stating that he shared in their grieving moment over the death of some of their colleagues in the disaster.

The Governor’s plea for calm comes after students of the Kogi State Polytechnic took to the street to protest the frequent road accidents in the area.