Residents and shop owners around the Odinjo area of Ibadan were thrown into panic on Tuesday following the explosion of a 33,000-litre petrol tanker along the Lagos-Ibadan highway, near Muslim Grammar School.
Eyewitnesses say the incident occurred after the tanker fell on its side while the driver was attempting to navigate a bad spot on the road. Moments later, the vehicle exploded, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and forcing people in the vicinity to flee for safety.
Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, though the explosion caused significant alarm and disruption in the area. Shops were hurriedly shut, and traffic was halted as emergency services and locals rushed to prevent the fire from spreading.
Sources at the scene confirmed that the driver lost control while maneuvering through the pothole-ridden stretch of the highway — a reminder of the urgent need for road repairs and stricter safety measures for tanker drivers.
“The truck skidded off the track before it landed on one of its sides.
“The timely arrival of the men of the State Fire Service saved the situation from generating into major tragedy”
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the State Fire Service, Rev’d Akinyemi Akinyinka said it happened around Odinjo area.
“We have deployed our men to the area to arrest the situation. I am yet to get the details account of the incident.
“As at time of filing the report, the degree of the damage could not be ascertained.
“Also, there is no record of any life lost to the incident yet.”
The situation led to a build up of traffic at the Ibadan end of the Lagos highway but the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) and other security agencies have taken over traffic control in the area.
Sources also informed that a combined security teams have also arrived the scene of the incident.
