There was panic along the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway on Thursday when a fuel-laden tanker, carrying approximately 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, lost control and somersaulted near Irepo Junction.
The accident occurred in the afternoon, causing a major traffic gridlock and fear of a possible explosion. Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted the terrifying moment the tanker, identified by its registration number KMC 65 ZC, lost control while in motion and toppled over.
Petrol immediately began spilling from the ruptured container, sending commuters and passersby fleeing for safety.
“There was chaos everywhere,” said one observer. “People ran for cover under trees or moved far from the road. Everyone feared an explosion.”
Fortunately, a disaster was averted thanks to the swift response from the state’s fire services. Emergency personnel arrived promptly after receiving the distress call and began work to neutralise the hazard. The fire crew quickly deployed chemical foam to suppress the highly flammable liquid and prevent any ignition.
Confirming the incident, the head of the state’s fire service agency explained that the report came in at 3:51 p.m. on Wednesday. He said, “We responded immediately and found the fallen tanker, still leaking PMS, at the roadside. We applied chemical foam compound to suppress the flammable vapour, reducing the risk of fire, which could have been triggered by even a small spark from near or far.”
The official attributed the cause of the accident to driver error, noting that lack of focus or fatigue might have contributed to the tanker losing control. “Our preliminary assessment shows it was due to a lack of absolute concentration on the part of the driver,” he added.
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The Federal Fire Service also joined the containment efforts, bringing in additional manpower and resources. Security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Ojongbodu Division, were also deployed to the scene to control the crowd and maintain order throughout the emergency operation.
Despite the significant fuel spillage, no injuries or fatalities were reported. However, the incident caused prolonged traffic congestion, with vehicles and passengers stranded for hours as emergency teams secured the area.
Motorists were eventually allowed to proceed once the tanker had been stabilised and the road declared safe. Authorities are now investigating the incident and may take further steps to ensure safety on the expressway, particularly for high-capacity fuel transport vehicles.
This latest accident adds to growing concerns over road safety and the frequency of tanker-related mishaps on major Nigerian highways. Commuters and residents are urging regulatory bodies and transport companies to enforce stricter safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
Punch Newspaper
