A petrol tanker carrying 60,000 litres of fuel overturned on Monday in Iroko town, located in the Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident occurred as the driver attempted to navigate a severely damaged section of the road, resulting in a loss of control.
Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker fell onto its side, causing a significant spill that created a traffic jam on the expressway. One witness noted, “The vehicle landed on one of its sides while the content of the tanker spilled on the expressway, leading to serious congestion. Thankfully, no lives were lost.”
Moroof Akinwande, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service Agency and Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform, confirmed the incident. He stated that the tanker, registered as GZA 55OXA, was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit when it swerved into a nearby ditch, spilling its contents both on the expressway and into a nearby bush.
Fire service personnel quickly responded by using a chemical foam compound to suppress the flammability of the spilled fuel and prevent potential fires. Akinwande emphasized that no casualties were reported and attributed the accident to the driver’s loss of control while negotiating the bend.
This incident adds to the increasing number of tanker accidents in Oyo State. In July, a fuel tanker carrying 45,000 litres overturned in Eleyele, Ibadan, while another 50,000-litre diesel tanker skidded off the road in August due to brake failure, both incidents prompting swift emergency responses.
The recurring nature of these accidents has raised public concerns regarding the safety of transporting petroleum products on poor and narrow roads within the state. Akinwande urged road users to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent future incidents.
