As the nation continues to mourn the devastating tragedy in Majiya town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, where a petrol tanker explosion claimed the lives of over 147 people on Tuesday, another tanker explosion occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at the Ibafo-axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Thankfully, unlike the previous incident, no lives were lost in this latest explosion.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson, Mrs. Florence Okpe, the incident happened at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday and involved a tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). She explained that the accident was caused by a burst tyre, which led to the driver losing control of the vehicle. As a result, the tanker overturned, spilling its highly flammable contents across the road.
“The fire service was immediately contacted, but before they could arrive, the tanker had already exploded,” Okpe stated. The explosion resulted in the destruction of five vehicles, which were caught in the blaze.
Although the situation was dangerous and resulted in significant property damage, the FRSC spokesperson confirmed that, fortunately, no lives were lost. However, three men sustained injuries during the incident and were promptly taken to two hospitals: Real Divine Hospital in Ibafo and General Hospital in Sagamu, where they received medical attention.
Okpe went on to stress the importance of road safety, especially for drivers of heavy-duty vehicles such as tankers. She relayed advice from the Sector Commander, Akinwumi Fasakin, urging motorists to regularly check their vehicle tyres to ensure they are neither worn out nor expired. This precaution, he noted, is crucial in preventing accidents caused by tyre failure. Fasakin further encouraged all motorists to prioritize safety and adhere to safe driving practices to avoid tragedies on the road.
