At least seven people died in a deadly fire outbreak following a tanker explosion in central Nigeria on Sunday.

An oil tanker laden with petrol veered off the road and spilled its contents in Oshigbudu area of Benue state.

Eyewitnesses say huge flames from the burning tanker leaped into nearby houses catching people unawares.

The executive secretary of the Benue state Emergency Management Agency, Mr Emmanuel Shior, told journalists that the fire killed "several people" and destroyed some 50 houses.

Accidents leading to tanker explosions are common in Nigeria and often blamed on bad roads.

In July 2019, at least 45 people were killed and more than 100 others injured in the same area when a petrol tanker crashed and exploded as people gathered to siphon fuel.