Motorists and residents of Iseyin, Oyo State were gripped with fear on Monday morning, June 23, 2025, after a fuel tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) lost control and burst into flames along the Iseyin–Oyo Road.
The tanker, marked LM62XP (Lagos), reportedly veered off the highway near NICO Farm around 10:46 am, somersaulting into a ditch before igniting a fire that could have led to a major disaster. Witnesses say the driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle while descending a slope on the road.
Firefighters from the Oyo State Fire Service arrived at the scene within minutes, led by PFS1 Azeez, and quickly deployed chemical foam compounds to contain the fire. Thanks to swift intervention, no lives were lost and nearby buildings and vehicles were spared from damage.
Chairman of the State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that the alert was received at their control centre shortly before 11 am. “It could have been catastrophic,” he stated, praising the professionalism of the firemen who prevented a full-scale explosion.
The incident caused a temporary disruption of traffic along the Iseyin/Oyo Road, a key intercity route in the state. By noon, traffic had resumed after emergency responders cleared the scene and declared it safe.
Locals have expressed concern over the increasing frequency of fuel tanker crashes on Nigerian roads, calling for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better driver training for those operating such high-risk cargo.
This near-tragedy adds to growing calls for a review of Nigeria’s fuel transport policies, particularly on rural roads where emergency response times can be limited. The Oyo State Government has not yet issued an official statement regarding broader safety measures.
