𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐎𝐧 𝐈𝐛𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝

A fuel tanker explosion caused chaos on the busy Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, bringing traffic to a standstill between the Oremeji and Olorunsogo axis in Oyo State.

The incident, which occurred in the late morning, led to a massive fire outbreak that sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky, raising fears among motorists and residents.

As of press time, no casualties had been reported. However, the fire continues to rage while emergency responders work tirelessly to bring the situation under control.

The Oyo State Fire Service responded swiftly to the emergency, dispatching personnel and firefighting equipment to the scene.

The agency’s General Manager, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed that firefighters had been deployed to combat the blaze.

Speaking with our correspondent via telephone on Tuesday, Akinyinka said, “Yes, a tanker is on fire near Sumurah, between Olorunsogo and Oremeji. Our response team is already at the scene.”

Videos circulating on social media show long lines of stranded vehicles stretching for kilometres, as the inferno forced authorities to divert traffic from the affected section of the expressway.

Commuters reported being stuck for hours, while some abandoned their vehicles in search of safer ground.

Fuel tanker explosions are a recurring hazard on Nigeria’s highways, often resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread traffic disruptions.

According to data from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), such incidents are frequently caused by poor vehicle maintenance, reckless driving, and overloading.

The Ibadan Expressway, one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors, links the southwestern city of Ibadan to Lagos, the country’s commercial hub.

It carries heavy volumes of passenger and freight traffic daily, making any disruption along the route particularly impactful on regional mobility and commerce.

Emergency services remain on high alert, urging motorists to avoid the area and comply with traffic diversions.

As the situation unfolds, authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion and to assess the damage.

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