Many feared dead as Tanker Explodes in Ogun

A devastating fire outbreak erupted in the early hours of Friday after a petrol tanker overturned along the Abeokuta–Sagamu expressway, leaving an unconfirmed number of people feared dead.

The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. when a 33,000-litre fuel-laden tanker crashed due to excessive speeding, spilling petrol across the highway and igniting an inferno.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), confirmed the development, noting that the tanker lost control along the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange axis.

“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 due to excessive speed and loss of control has been reported,” Akinbiyi said.

The fire quickly spread, engulfing nearby vehicles, burning down a truck and a tow vehicle, and damaging electricity poles and PHCN cables that supply power to Mowe and surrounding communities.

While the exact number of casualties remains unknown, emergency responders from TRACE, the Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé PLC Fire Service, FRSC, Police, and other agencies were deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and commence rescue efforts.

Traffic along the expressway has been reduced to a single lane as rescue operations continue, forcing diversions and delays.

Akinbiyi appealed to motorists to exercise patience and comply with the directives of traffic and emergency officials.

“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,” he said, expressing regret over the disruption caused by the incident.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.