A major explosion was narrowly averted in Oyo State on Wednesday following a petrol tanker accident along the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway.
The vehicle, laden with 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit lost control and somersaulted at Irepo Junction.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the moment as terrifying. “The tanker just swerved and flipped suddenly. People ran for safety, and there was panic everywhere,” said Kunle Olanrewaju, one of the witnesses.
Other residents, Kazeem Ogunwuyi and Bankole Adebayo, confirmed that the incident caused severe traffic congestion as motorists abandoned their vehicles and sought shelter under nearby trees.
According to the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Maroof Akinwande, the agency received the emergency call at precisely 3:51 p.m. and responded swiftly to prevent a catastrophe.
“When our team arrived, we found a fallen HOWO trailer tanker with registration number KMC 65 ZC (Kano), carrying 60,000 litres of PMS. The content was already leaking dangerously,” Akinwande said.
He explained that firefighters immediately applied chemical foam to neutralise the flammable liquid and eliminate the risk of ignition.
“We used a chemical foam compound to blanket the spillage and suppress any potential fire from nearby sources,” he added.
Akinwande attributed the accident to the driver’s “lack of full concentration while driving,” noting that such incidents often result from avoidable human error.
He also acknowledged the collaborative effort of the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Police, who were present at the scene. “The Police from Ojongbodu Division were there to secure the environment throughout the operation,” he noted.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the accident, though the situation caused significant travel disruption on the busy route. Authorities have since cleared the wreckage and restored traffic flow.
