A late-night tanker explosion along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State has left several people feared dead and properties destroyed.
The incident, which occurred around 1 am on Friday, involved a petrol-laden 33,000-litre tanker that reportedly lost control due to excessive speeding and overturned, spilling its content on the highway.
The impact triggered an inferno that spread to other vehicles and electric poles along the busy route.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde 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 traffic had been diverted to a single lane to allow rescue teams to continue their operations.
Akinbiyi also appealed for public cooperation: “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.”