A midnight petrol tanker explosion on the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway on Friday left several people feared dead and vehicles burnt beyond recognition.
The incident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m. at the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange stretch of the expressway, caused panic among motorists and residents.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the accident in a statement.
According to him, the tragedy happened after a 33,000-litre petrol tanker lost control due to excessive speeding and overturned, spilling its content across the road before bursting into flames.
> “The case of an inferno caused by a fuel-laden tanker, which fell on its side and spilled its contents around 0100hrs today, was reported along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange. The incident was due to excessive speed and loss of control,” Akinbiyi said.
The fire reportedly spread to a truck and a towing vehicle parked by the roadside, while a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) cable supplying electricity to Mowe and nearby communities was destroyed.
As of press time, the casualty figure could not be ascertained, but emergency responders hinted that lives may have been lost in the inferno.
A combined team of TRACE officials, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé Fire Service, the police, Amotekun Corps, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were said to be at the scene, working to put out the fire and restore traffic flow.
Akinbiyi appealed for calm, urging motorists to obey traffic diversions and follow rescue workers’ instructions.
“Any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted,” he added.
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