Many feared dead in Ogun tanker fire

An unconfirmed number of persons have lost their lives in a tanker fire accident that occurred at midnight along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway.

Online learnt on Friday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the fire began at about 1 am on Friday.

According to Akinbiyi, a petrol-laden 33,000-litre tanker overturned due to excessive speeding and spilled its contents on the highway. Dt

He disclosed that the impact of the fall triggered a fire outbreak, which spread to other vehicles and electric poles.

Akinbiyi said, “The case of an inferno caused by a 30,000-litre fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side and spilled its contents around 0100hrs today, along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway, due to excessive speed and loss of control, has been reported.

“The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the roadside, as well as the destruction of a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

“Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue and emergency services made up of TRACE, Ogun State and Nestlé PLC Fire Service, FRSC, and the Police are still on the ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and carrying out the decantation process.”

He added that due to the ongoing rescue efforts, traffic within the corridor has been diverted to a single lane.

The spokesperson urged motorists in the area to cooperate with emergency responders.

“The general public, particularly the motoring public on transit along the route, is implored to be calm, patient, and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic put in place by TRACE, Police, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, Amotekun, and the NSCDC.

“However, any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted,” Akinbiyi concluded.

Tanker fire incidents similar to this have occurred repeatedly in Nigeria, often with tragic consequences.

In October 2024, a tanker fire along the Ibafo section of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway claimed one life and destroyed multiple vehicles and goods.

Similarly, in July 2025, a petrol tanker explosion in Ibadan after brake failure was reported, affecting nearby vehicles, though casualties were not widely confirmed.

In most of these incidents, reports often showed that the delayed emergency response was a factor in exacerbating the damage and losses.

These recurring incidents highlight systemic issues in road safety, regulation of fuel transport, emergency response, and public behaviour around fuel spills.

Cupped from Punch.