Panic gripped motorists and commuters on Wednesday after a petrol-laden tanker exploded in front of the NASFAT junction along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The incident left at least two people severely injured and burnt six vehicles beyond recognition.
Witnesses said the tanker attempted a U-turn at the junction but lost control and overturned. Fuel spilled onto the road, and moments later, the tanker burst into flames, sending thick smoke into the sky and forcing drivers to flee their vehicles.
According to eyewitness accounts, the tanker was trying to make a turn when it fell and spilled petrol before catching fire.
The fire destroyed four trucks, a commercial bus, and a Toyota Camry, causing a major traffic gridlock that paralyzed movement on both sides of the expressway.
Rescue Delayed by Heavy Traffic
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) confirmed the explosion and its impact. TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi said emergency responders rushed two severely injured men to FAMOBIS Hospital at Lotto. Initially, they planned to take the victims to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, but traffic congestion forced a change in plans.
“Two male casualties were recorded at the scene. We couldn’t reach OOUTH due to the heavy traffic, so they were taken to FAMOBIS Hospital,” Akinbiyi said.
Firefighters and law enforcement officers arrived later to extinguish the flames and control the crowd. Officials evacuated the remaining fuel and began clearing the wreckage to restore traffic flow.
Second Tanker Fall Near Ogere Worsens Gridlock
A second accident along the same expressway worsened the situation. Near the Ogere bridge, another tanker carrying fuel fell on one side of the road. At the same time, an 18-tyre truck transporting stones crashed on the opposite side.
Both accidents caused complete standstill in both directions. Drivers said they remained trapped in traffic for over an hour as others sought alternative routes. A police officer at the scene said emergency teams had started evacuating the spilled cargo and removing the damaged trucks by 3 p.m.
“The fuel has been evacuated. We’re currently transferring the stones and clearing the road,” the officer confirmed.
These back-to-back accidents have raised fresh concerns about the safety of fuel tankers and enforcement of highway regulations. Motorists are calling on federal and state authorities to introduce stricter safety measures to prevent further disasters.
