An overnight tanker explosion on the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway has left many feared dead, with rescue teams still working at the scene as of Friday morning.
The accident happened around 1 a.m. when a 33,000-litre petrol-laden tanker overturned after excessive speeding. The crash spilled fuel across the highway, and the impact ignited a blaze that spread to other vehicles and burned down power lines.
Eyewitness and Agency Accounts
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the crash. He said it occurred near the Abeokuta–Kobape–Siun–Sagamu Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway.
“The tanker lost control due to excessive speed and fell, spilling petrol across the road. The impact sparked a fire that also burnt a truck and a tow vehicle, while destroying PHCN cables supplying electricity to Mowe and surrounding areas,” Akinbiyi explained.
He added that the casualty figure remains unclear. However, joint rescue teams, including TRACE, the Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé Fire Service, FRSC, Police, Amotekun, and NSCDC, moved in quickly to put out the flames, manage traffic, and begin product decantation.
Authorities diverted traffic to a single lane and urged motorists to stay calm and cooperate with emergency responders.
Recurring Tragedies on Nigerian Highways
Tanker explosions continue to pose a major safety threat across Nigeria.
In October 2024, a tanker accident along the Ibafo section of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway killed one person and destroyed several vehicles.
In July 2025, another petrol tanker explosion in Ibadan, caused by brake failure, damaged multiple cars, though fatalities were not confirmed.
Analysts note that delayed emergency response, weak regulation of fuel transport, and reckless driving often worsen the damage and losses from such accidents.