A petrol tanker explosion along the Abeokuta–Sagamu expressway in the early hours of Friday has left several people feared dead, with vehicles, electric poles, and power cables destroyed.
The accident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m. at the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange stretch, involved a 33,000-litre petrol-laden tanker that reportedly overturned while speeding and lost control. The impact spilled its contents on the highway, sparking a massive fire.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), confirmed that the fire spread to other vehicles and damaged a PHCN cable supplying electricity to Mowe and neighbouring communities.
Although the number of casualties could not be immediately confirmed, emergency responders including TRACE, the Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé PLC Fire Service, FRSC, Police, Amotekun, and NSCDC were deployed to contain the inferno and manage traffic.
Traffic along the corridor has since been diverted to a single lane, with motorists advised to remain calm and cooperate with rescue officials.
Akinbiyi expressed regret over the disruption and urged drivers to exercise patience. “Any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted,” he said.