Four vehicles burnt, many injured as fuel tanker explodes on Ibadan-Ife road

Map of Oyo State

About four vehicles were, on Saturday, burnt while some people sustained varying degrees of injuries as petrol loaded trucks caught fire on Ibadan-Ife expressway.

The affected vehicles, according to the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, were the petrol-loaded truck, an 18-passenger bus, another middle-size truck, and a Micra taxi.

Akinyinka told The PUNCH that the accident happened at Circular Road Junction in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state, causing a traffic gridlock on the road.

Motorists and commuters were stranded for several hours as the Federal Fire Service in conjunction with security agencies tried to put the situation under control.

Eyewitnesses said the truck lost control while trying to ascend the hill.

“A call was placed through the state Fire Services in order to save the situation.”

As of press time, it could not be confirmed whether lives were lost to the incident.

Akinyinka, who confirmed the incident, said, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by some residents trying to use the leakage opportunities for their beneficiary’s use.

“Four trucks completely destroyed, one petroleum truck, 18 passengers, one small truck, and one micra were all affected. Some people suffered minor injuries,” he confirmed.