Filling station belonging to serving governor set ablaze

A Pinnacle Oil filling station, owned by the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, was set on fire in the early hours of Friday by suspected arsonists.

The incident took place at the station located along Agbani Road, Enugu.

According to eyewitness reports, the attackers arrived in a Toyota Corolla and carried out the arson, which affected at least four cars parked within the vicinity. The swift action of the fire services helped to prevent further damage, as personnel from both federal and state fire services responded immediately.

By the time of filing this report, the Agbani Road axis leading to the station had been cordoned off by firefighters and security operatives, while investigations are underway.

The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed the fire incident. In a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, it was suggested that the fire may have been caused by a fuel leak from one of the vehicles queuing at the station to purchase fuel, although an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

“A fire incident occurred at Pinnacle Filling Station, Agbani Road, Enugu, in the morning hours of Friday, September 20, 2024. The fire was immediately extinguished with the help of personnel from both federal and state fire services, who quickly responded to the situation,” Ndukwe stated.

He added that no lives were lost in the incident, but three vehicles on the fuel queue were burned before the fire was contained.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, who led operatives to the scene, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State CID to carry out a full-scale investigation into the incident,” the police spokesperson said.

As authorities look into the exact cause of the fire, there is concern among residents, with many questioning whether the incident was truly accidental or the result of an intentional attack on the governor’s business.