Traders whose shops were destroyed by a tanker fire outbreak along the Calabar–Itu Highway in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State have appealed to the state government for urgent assistance after losing goods and properties worth millions of naira.
The incident, which occurred around 6:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 4, 2026, claimed the lives of the tanker driver and his conductor and destroyed more than 12 shops and a liquor bar located opposite the Odukpani Local Government headquarters.
According to a report by The Sun, the tanker, which was carrying diesel, reportedly overturned at a diverted section of the highway undergoing rehabilitation before hitting another truck. The diesel spilled onto the road and spread towards nearby shops before a fire broke out, leaving the affected businesses in ruins.
The fire destroyed shops selling phone accessories, gas cylinders, foodstuffs, shoes, bags and other items. Traders who had invested their savings in their businesses said the incident had left them struggling to find the means to start again.
One of the victims, Anthonia Patrick, who sells baking ingredients, said she was in her village when she received a call informing her that her shop had been destroyed.
On arriving at the scene, she discovered that the roof of her shop had been burnt, while the electrical wiring and canopy were also damaged. She estimated that replacing the roof alone would cost more than ₦6 million.
Another victim, Obonda Goodluck, who deals in phone accessories, said he lost phones, iPads, chargers, electrical parts and other goods stocked in his shop.
Goodluck, who estimated his losses at not less than ₦12 million, explained that he had recently restocked his business before the fire destroyed everything.
The trader, who has two children, said the incident had left him emotionally distressed, especially as he had buried his elder brother only two weeks earlier.
He lamented that the shop was his main source of income and expressed uncertainty about how to rebuild the business and continue providing for his family.
Kufre Sunday Ekpo, another affected trader who sells gas cylinders and burners, also lost his shop and goods worth millions of naira.
Ekpo said his shop contained four 60-kilogramme gas cylinders filled with gas, cartons of burners, rubber chairs and more than ₦300,000 in cash.
He estimated the value of his lost goods at about ₦8 million, excluding the cost of replacing the steel container used as his shop, which he valued at more than ₦1 million.
The trader, who has a wife and three children, said the destruction had made it difficult for him to meet his family's daily needs.
Enobong Samuel, who sells foodstuffs and provisions, also lost her business after returning from Benue State with fresh supplies.
She said she had brought in about 300 tubers of yam, cartons of noodles, cooking oil and other goods for sale. Her shop also contained two large deep freezers filled with drinks, bags of seafood and other provisions.
Samuel explained that the fire destroyed her goods and stock records, making it difficult to calculate the full value of her losses.
Another victim, Emmanuel Dennis, lost assorted bags, shoes and leather-related products stored in his shop.
The affected traders have appealed to the Cross River State Government to come to their aid, saying they lack the financial strength to rebuild their shops and replace the goods destroyed by the fire.
They said government assistance would help them return to business, provide for their families and prevent them from falling deeper into hardship.
The tragedy has also raised concerns about safety along the Calabar–Itu Highway, particularly around sections where construction work and traffic diversions are taking place.
Some residents blamed what they described as inadequate warning signs around the diverted section of the road, claiming that motorists needed clearer information to navigate the area safely.
However, the official cause of the crash had not been confirmed at the time of the report.
The Cross River State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed that two people died in the incident. The deceased were identified as the tanker driver and his conductor.
Governor Bassey Otu visited the scene, commiserated with the victims and commended residents who helped fight the fire. He also promised government intervention to address the immediate needs of those affected and concerns about safety along the highway.
The traders are now hoping that the government will fulfil its promise and provide the support needed to help them rebuild their businesses.
For many of the victims, the destruction goes beyond the loss of physical shops and goods. Their businesses were the source of income used to feed their families, pay school fees and meet other daily responsibilities.
With their shops reduced to ashes and their investments lost, the affected traders say urgent assistance is needed to help them recover from the disaster.
The incident has also renewed calls for proper road diversion arrangements, clear warning signs and stronger safety measures around construction sites to protect motorists, traders and residents living close to busy highways.
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