A devastating fire outbreak in the early hours of Friday has claimed yet-to-be-confirmed lives after a petrol-laden tanker overturned on the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway.
The inferno, which began around 1:00 am, was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi. He explained that the 33,000-litre tanker lost control due to excessive speeding, spilled its contents, and burst into flames.
The fire spread rapidly, engulfing nearby vehicles, damaging electric poles, and destroying a power line supplying electricity to Mowe and its environs. A truck and a tow vehicle parked by the roadside were also razed.
Rescue and emergency teams comprising TRACE, FRSC, Ogun State and Nestlé Fire Services, the Police, and other security outfits immediately moved to the scene to put out the blaze and begin the decantation process. Akinbiyi, however, noted that casualty figures are still unclear.
“Traffic has been diverted to a single lane to ease movement, and motorists are urged to remain patient and cooperate with officials on ground,” he said, adding that the inconvenience is regretted.
The incident adds to a growing list of tragic tanker-related accidents across Nigeria. In October 2024, a similar fire along the Ibafo stretch of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway claimed one life, while in July 2025, a tanker explosion in Ibadan sparked chaos after brake failure.
Such recurrent disasters continue to expose deep-rooted issues in fuel transportation safety, enforcement of road regulations, and the speed of emergency response in the country.
