Several buildings around the area were also razed by the fire.
The explosion was said to have occurred on Tuesday after the tanker, containing petroleum products, collided with another petroleum tanker which was stopped by members of the task force at a checkpoint.
An indigene of the community, who confirmed the incident, alleged that the members of the task force attempted to extort the drivers of the petroleum tankers when the incident happened.
The Rivers State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident.
This is coming barely 48 hours after 13 persons died in an accident involving a bus and a truck in the Etche Local Government Area of the state.
