A petrol tanker accident on the Ilorin–Jebba highway in Kwara State has claimed the lives of two people, the driver and his motor boy, after the vehicle overturned and exploded into flames.
The tragedy struck at Pasa village in Moro Local Government Area around 3:43 p.m. on Tuesday. The tanker, with registration number NSR 966 ZQ, was carrying 30,000 litres of petrol when the driver reportedly lost control, veered off the road, and overturned, sparking a massive fire.
Emergency teams from the Kwara State Fire Service rushed to the scene and successfully extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other vehicles on the busy highway.
“Sadly, the driver and the motor boy lost their lives immediately at the scene of the accident,” said fire service spokesman Hassan Adekunle in a statement.
Director of the Fire Service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and urged motorists—particularly tanker drivers—to exercise extreme caution on the roads.
He advised road users to prioritise vehicle maintenance, adhere strictly to speed limits, avoid night journeys, and ensure adequate rest to prevent fatigue-induced accidents.
Olumuyiwa further encouraged drivers to always carry functional fire extinguishers and to promptly contact emergency responders in the event of accidents.
The fatal crash adds to concerns over recurring tanker-related accidents on Nigerian highways, which have claimed dozens of lives in recent years.
