In the early hours of Wednesday, tragedy struck in Ibadan as a petrol-laden tanker exploded, claiming the life of the driver and leaving one other person seriously injured. The devastating incident occurred near Fijabi House along the Agbowo-Ojoo/Iwo Road Expressway, shaking the community to its core.
Yemi Akinyinka, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, confirmed the grim details in a statement, shedding light on the harrowing events. According to Akinyinka, the tanker lost control, collided with two other trucks, and veered into a nearby pit before catching fire.
“The service received a distress call about the fire incident at exactly 2:45 a.m.,” Akinyinka stated. “Our personnel swiftly mobilized to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas. Unfortunately, the tanker driver was burnt beyond recognition, while the motor boy was rescued alive and rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, for urgent medical care.”
The fire also left extensive damage in its wake, destroying the tanker and endangering nearby vehicles. Thanks to the swift intervention of the fire service, two other trucks involved in the incident were successfully rescued from total destruction.
In a testament to coordinated emergency response efforts, the agency’s director of operations, Ismail Adeleke, alongside the police and other security operatives, worked tirelessly at the scene to manage the situation and prevent further chaos.
The explosion has left residents of the area in shock, with many lamenting the frequency of tanker accidents on major highways. Community members have called for stricter safety regulations and improved monitoring of petrol tankers to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
This incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with transporting highly flammable substances and the need for stringent safety measures to protect lives and property. As investigations into the cause of the accident continue, the thoughts of the nation are with the victims and their families.
Stay tuned for updates as more details unfold.
PIONEER NEWS 