Six vehicles destroyed, traffic grounded in Lagos-Ibadan expressway tanker explosion

At least two individuals sustained serious injuries and six vehicles were destroyed when a petrol-laden tanker exploded opposite the NASFAT junction on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.

The development has caused massive traffic congestion in both directions.

The incident occurred when the tanker, while attempting a U-turn at the junction, overturned and spilled its contents, which subsequently ignited.

An eyewitness who chose to remain anonymous stated, “The tanker was trying to make a turn when it fell to its side and spilt the petrol before catching fire.”

The fire engulfed the immediate area, destroying six vehicles, including four trucks, a bus, and a Toyota Camry, and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.

Confirming the incident in a traffic advisory, Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), said two men suffered severe injuries.

He stated, “Two male casualties at the scene of the tanker that caught fire at NASFAT along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The casualties have been taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital by OGSAES.”

However, due to heavy gridlock, Akinbiyi later updated that, “The earlier reported casualties cannot be taken to the OOUTH as reported due to heavy traffic. They have been taken to FAMOBIS Hospital at Lotto.”

In a related development on the same day, another fuel tanker accident occurred nearby, worsening the situation. One tanker fell on one side of the road, while an 18-tyre truck loaded with stones toppled on the opposite side near the Ogere bridge around noon.

The dual incidents brought traffic to a crawl, forcing many drivers to seek alternative routes.

Law enforcement and emergency response teams, including firefighters from the Ogun State Fire Service, responded to the scenes.

As of 3 p.m., a police officer at the site, who declined to be named due to lack of media clearance, confirmed that the petrol from the overturned tanker had been evacuated, and efforts to remove the vehicle from the road were ongoing.

The load from the second truck was also being transferred to another vehicle.