An overturned petrol tanker burst into flames in the early hours of Friday along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State, raising fears of multiple casualties.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. near the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu interchange when the tanker, reportedly travelling at excessive speed, lost control and toppled over, spilling its 33,000-litre load across the road.
The spilled fuel ignited instantly, sparking a massive blaze that consumed nearby vehicles and infrastructure. A truck and a tow vehicle were destroyed, while a major power line supplying electricity to Mowe and adjoining communities was severed, plunging parts of the area into darkness.
Emergency responders, including TRACE, Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé PLC Fire Service, FRSC, police, Amotekun, and NSCDC, battled to contain the inferno and commence fuel decanting operations.
Casualty figures remain uncertain, but eyewitnesses and officials fear the death toll may rise as rescue teams sift through the wreckage.
Traffic along the expressway has been reduced to a single lane, with diversions in place. Motorists have been urged to exercise patience and obey rerouting instructions.
TRACE spokesperson, Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the tanker’s capacity and attributed the accident to speed and loss of control. He appealed for calm, stressing that “the public, particularly motorists on transit along the route, is implored to be patient and cooperate with the diversion and re-routing of traffic … we deeply regret any inconvenience.”
The tragedy adds to the rising toll of fatal tanker accidents across Nigeria, often linked to excessive speed, poor maintenance, overloading, and delayed emergency response.