Tanker Carrying 60,000 Litres of Petrol Somersaults on Oyo-Ogbomoso Road

Panic gripped commuters and residents on Wednesday after a petrol tanker carrying 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) lost control and somersaulted on the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway in Oyo State.

The near-disastrous incident occurred at Irepo Junction, where the tanker, registered as KANO KMC 65 ZC, overturned and began spilling its flammable contents. Thankfully, there were no casualties.

Eyewitnesses, including Kunle Olanrewaju, Kazeem Ogunwuyi, and Bankole Adebayo, reported that the incident caused severe traffic congestion as travelers fled to safety under nearby trees, fearing an explosion. Firefighters promptly arrived and sprayed chemical foam to suppress the risk of ignition.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that the agency received the emergency call at 3:51 pm. “On getting there, we encountered a HOWO trailer tanker filled with 60,000 litres of PMS. It had somersaulted off the road, spilling fuel dangerously,” he stated.

He credited the successful containment to swift action and the use of chemical foam compound to prevent fire outbreaks. Akinwande attributed the crash to the driver’s lack of concentration while in motion.

The Federal Fire Service and officers from the Nigeria Police’s Ojongbodu Division also supported the operation to secure the scene.

Their quick intervention averted what could have been a major tragedy on one of Oyo State’s busiest routes.