An overturned, petrol-laden tanker exploded in the early hours of Friday along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway, Ogun State, prompting fears that many people have died in the blaze.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. near the Abeokuta-Kobape–Siun–Sagamu interchange on the PMB Expressway when the tanker, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, lost control and tipped over, spilling its entire contents across the road.
The spilled fuel caught fire immediately, triggering a massive inferno that engulfed nearby vehicles and infrastructure.
A truck and a tow vehicle were destroyed in the blaze, and a power cable supplying electricity to Mowe and surrounding areas was burned, leaving communities in darkness.
Agencies including TRACE, Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé PLC Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the police, Amotekun, and NSCDC were mobilised to the scene, working to extinguish the fire and begin fuel decanting operations.
Casualty figures remain unclear. Eyewitnesses and officials alike say that the death toll may rise as rescue teams comb the wreckage.
Traffic on the expressway has been reduced to a single lane as authorities implement diversions. Motorists are urged to comply with rerouting instructions and remain patient.
Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for Ogun State’s TRACE unit, confirmed that the tanker had a capacity of 33,000 litres, adding that speed and loss of control were likely contributing factors.
He appealed to the public for calm and cooperation: “The public, particularly motorists on transit along the route, is implored to be calm, patient, and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic … we deeply regret any inconvenience.”
This tragedy adds to Nigeria’s mounting record of deadly tanker explosions, often blamed on factors such as excessive speed, poor vehicle maintenance, overloading, unsafe fuel decanting practices, and delayed response by emergency services.