- A loaded petroleum tanker caught fire at Ajia junction on the Ibadan-Ife Road, destroying multiple vehicles but sparing all occupants
- Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started when the tanker driver attempted to switch lanes, leading to a dramatic explosion
On Saturday, numerous commuters narrowly escaped death when a loaded petroleum tanker suddenly burst into flames at Ajia junction on the Ibadan-Ife Road, Ibadan.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. as the tanker driver attempted to switch lanes, which caused the vehicle to catch fire. The blaze destroyed a mini truck, a commuter bus, a Micra car, a tricycle, and two motorcycles.
An eyewitness, Biodun Ayoola, informed NAN that upon seeing the tanker on fire, all occupants of the affected vehicles and motorcycles quickly fled the scene.
Ayoola explained that the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ajia junction had caused one lane to be blocked, forcing vehicles to use the remaining lane. “The petrol tanker caught fire while trying to switch to the other lane and exploded. But we thank God that all the occupants of the affected vehicles and motorcycles escaped before the explosion,” he said.
Mr. Mayowa Odewo, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, confirmed the incident. He stated that officers from the Egbeda command were still on-site and that a formal statement would be released after their operations were completed.