A 60,000-litre petrol tanker on Monday veered off the road at Iroko town in Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State while attempting to navigate a bad section of the route.
According to findings by The PUNCH, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while trying to manoeuvre through the damaged part of the expressway.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker toppled on its side, spilling petrol across the road and causing a heavy traffic jam.
One of the witnesses recounted, “The vehicle landed on one of its sides while the content of the tanker spilled on the expressway, thereby causing traffic congestion. Though no life was lost, it caused a serious hold-up on the road.”
Confirming the incident in Ibadan, the state capital, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency and Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform, Moroof Akinwande, said, “The accident involved a Mack trailer tanker with registration number GZA 55OXA, of 60,000-litre capacity, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit.
“The affected truck swerved into a nearby ditch, during which the product it was conveying spilled on the expressway and nearby bush.
“Our officers quickly swung into action by applying chemical foam compound to suppress the flammability of the content and prevent it from catching fire from the surroundings.
“No casualty was recorded, and the accident was a result of loss of control while the driver was trying to negotiate the bend.”
Akinwande urged motorists to exercise caution and comply with road safety regulations to avert similar mishaps.
Monday’s accident adds to the series of tanker crashes that have occurred in Oyo State in recent months.
In July, The PUNCH reported that tension gripped residents after a 45,000-litre fuel tanker overturned at Eleyele, Ibadan. The truck, which lost balance while descending a slope, spilled its contents before being contained by firefighters who prevented an explosion.
Likewise, in August, another 50,000-litre diesel tanker skidded off the road near Jin-Jofes Filling Station at Iwo Road, Ibadan, after suffering brake failure while negotiating a bend.
Although no lives were lost in both incidents, the recurring tanker crashes have raised growing public concern over the movement of petroleum products through deteriorating and narrow roads across the state.
