A devastating accident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has claimed the lives of a petroleum tanker driver and his apprentice after their vehicle exploded.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday near the Total Filling Station at Orita Challenge.
Reports indicate that the tanker, loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, was involved in a fatal crash due to brake failure while attempting to navigate a roundabout.
Eyewitnesses disclosed that the vehicle lost control, collided with a concrete structure, somersaulted, and erupted in flames, leading to the deaths of both occupants.
General Manager, Oyo State Fire Service Mr Yemi Akinyinka when contacted, confirmed the incident.
He said, “The fire incident was reported at exactly 05:01 on Tuesday 4th March, 2025. Immediately, the address was taken, the fire personnel, led by ACFS Olubunmi Christy was promptly deployed to the scene of incident.
“On arrival, it was a falling petrol tanker in front of a petrol station. We swiftly swung into action.
“The foam chemical compound was applied and the fire was put under control within a short period. The driver and motor boy of the truck were burnt, recovered and handled over to the FRSC and conveyed to the hospital.
“The Sumal Food Limited firemen were also in attendance to assist. The agency’s personnel are still at the scene doing cooling so as to completely extinguish the fire.
“The fire incident was as a result of break failure when the driver was trying to negotiate the roundabout, in front of Total Filling Station and hit the concrete, somersaulted and caught fire.”
