A devastating crash between a 45,000-litre petrol tanker and a container truck sparked a raging inferno that sent thick black smoke over the Michael Koleoso GRA axis of the Ibadan-Oyo Expressway on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. A motor apprentice caught in the chaos was severely injured and rushed to hospital, while emergency responders battled to contain what could have escalated into a city-wide disaster.
Eyewitnesses said the petrol tanker, registered KEY 909YE (Kwara), lost control while navigating potholes on the dilapidated single-lane road and rammed into a stationary MACK container truck with Lagos registration T6267LA. The resulting collision ignited the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) the tanker was conveying, engulfing the vehicle in flames and triggering widespread panic among commuters.
Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service responded swiftly after receiving a distress call at exactly 10:30 a.m. According to the agency’s chairman, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, a team led by ACFS Tijani deployed chemical suppressants to prevent a secondary explosion, which could have caused casualties on a far larger scale. Their rapid response helped extinguish the fire within minutes, preventing it from spreading to nearby vehicles and properties.
The injured apprentice, who was riding with the tanker driver, reportedly suffered burns and impact injuries during the collision. Officials confirmed he was stabilized and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Authorities have not released his name as of press time but say he is expected to recover.
Traffic along the Oyo-Ibadan corridor was at a standstill for over three hours, with stranded motorists forced to seek alternative routes through Moniya and Iwo Road. Security operatives cordoned off the area to prevent looting and allow for the removal of the burnt tanker carcass from the highway.
Chairman Akinwande used the opportunity to issue a fresh warning to commercial drivers, especially those transporting hazardous materials. “This near-disaster was caused by reckless driving and poor road conditions. We urge drivers to exercise extreme caution when navigating the expressway, particularly around known blackspots like this one,” he said.
Motorists and advocacy groups are now renewing calls for urgent rehabilitation of the Oyo/Ibadan Expressway, citing repeated incidents involving fuel tankers, poor drainage, and lack of signage. Wednesday’s incident is the third major tanker-related fire on the route in the last nine months, raising serious safety concerns ahead of increased traffic expected during the rainy season.
