Scores dead in Ogun tanker explosion

According to a statement on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, the fire began at about 1 am on Friday.

He claimed that the 33,000-litre petrol-laden tanker overturned due to excessive speeding and spilled its contents on the highway.

The spokesperson disclosed that the impact of the fall triggered a fire outbreak, which spread to other vehicles and electric poles.

Akinbiyi said, “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.

“The effect of the unfortunate incident also extended to the burning of a truck and a tow vehicle along the roadside, as well as the destruction of a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and environs.

“Though the casualty figures cannot be ascertained presently, rescue and emergency services made up of TRACE, Ogun State and Nestlé PLC Fire Service, FRSC, and the Police are still on the ground to restore normalcy and orderliness after quenching the fire and carrying out the decantation process.”

Akinbiyi added that due to the ongoing rescue efforts, traffic within the corridor has been diverted to a single lane, urging motorists in the area to cooperate with emergency responders.

“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,” Akinbiyi concluded.