Several persons are feared dead after a fuel tanker exploded at midnight along the Abeokuta–Sagamu expressway.
The incident occurred around 1 am on Friday when a 33,000-litre petrol tanker overturned due to excessive speeding and spilled its contents on the highway.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), confirmed the development.
Akinbiyi said the impact of the fall triggered a fire that spread to other vehicles and electric poles in the area.
“The case of an inferno caused by a 30,000-litre fuel-laden tanker which fell on its side and spilled its contents around 0100hrs today, along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu interchange stretch of the PMB expressway, due to excessive speed and loss of control, has been reported,” he said.
He added that a truck, a tow vehicle, and a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and its environs were destroyed in the fire.
The TRACE spokesperson said the casualty figures have not been confirmed as rescue and emergency services are still on the ground.
Akinbiyi listed the agencies involved in the rescue to include TRACE, Ogun State and Nestlé PLC Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the police.
He said traffic has been diverted to a single lane pending the conclusion of rescue efforts.
He added: “The general public, particularly the motoring public on transit along the route, is implored to be calm, patient, and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic put in place by TRACE, Police, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, Amotekun, and the NSCDC.
“However, any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted.”
