A petroleum tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed on Thursday along the Oyo–Ogbomoso Expressway, spilling its entire content and triggering an urgent emergency response.
The tanker, an IVECO with registration number BKA 661XA (Kaduna), lost control near Oni Gaari village as the driver attempted to navigate potholes. The vehicle overturned, detached from its cab, and discharged petrol onto the roadside.
The Oyo State Fire Service received the emergency alert at 12:34 p.m. and immediately deployed a response team.
“Our crew reached the scene quickly and found the tanker overturned with petrol gushing out,” said Fire Service Chairman Hon. Maroof Akinwande. “We acted fast, applied foam-forming chemicals, and followed all safety procedures to prevent a fire or explosion.”
According to Akinwande, the driver’s effort to avoid potholes caused the accident. He emphasized that the swift action of emergency personnel prevented what could have become a major disaster.
Firefighters successfully contained the spill and avoided any ignition despite the volatile fuel. No injuries or fatalities occurred, and responders secured the area while managing the hazard.
Officials restricted traffic and warned residents to stay clear until the team neutralized all risks. Cleanup crews completed operations later in the day without incident.
The crash underscores the serious risks posed by poor road conditions and the challenges of transporting petroleum products across Nigeria. It also highlights the critical role of well-trained emergency services in handling such dangerous situations.
The Oyo State Fire Service confirmed that the operation concluded safely, with the route fully secured and traffic gradually restored.