Several people were on Thursday reportedly killed when two bullion vans loaded with cash went ablaze after a head-on collision with a tanker, suspected to be conveying petrol at Abudu, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

It was gathered that ‎two commercial buses were also caught in the accident.

Although the casualty figure could not be ascertained as of the time of filing the report, a source said many lives were involved in the accident.

The source said while thick smoke billowed from the fire, the smell of new naira notes could be perceived by onlookers.

It was, however, learnt that security operatives were mobilised to the scene from nearby security formations  to forestall any invasion by hoodlums.

The incident was also said to have led to a diversion of traffic and a gridlock with many passengers stranded as the dual carriageway was converted to a single lane.

‎When contacted, the spokesman for the state command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, George Otoaviokhai, told our correspondent that while an accident was recorded in the area, he was yet to get the details.

But the Delta Sector Commander, Rindom Kumven, explained that multiple vehicles were involved in the accident.

Kumven said though the accident did not occur  within his jurisdiction, officials from the Issele-Uku unit were mobilised to join in the rescue operation.

He also added that the number of human casualties was yet to be ascertained from the operation.

Kumven said, “Multiple vehicles were involved in the crash and, actually, there was loss of lives. But I cannot give you the figure right now.

“The tanker was carrying a product, and that was why it went up in flames.

“For now, I cannot give you a comprehensive report about the cause of the accident. But even though it occurred in Edo State, I called men at Issele-Uku to mobilise to the scene for rescue operation.”

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, said he only received the report of a ‎fatal accident in Abudu.

Gwandu who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Thursday evening, said, “Well, I have not received that situation report.

“I have not received any information about bullion vans. But I know I received a report about a fatal accident. The same Abudu DPO told‎ me about a fatal accident, not bullion vans containing millions of naira or dollar.”