Several people are feared dead following a tanker explosion that occurred in the early hours of Friday along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) confirmed that the incident happened around 1 a.m. when a 33,000-litre petrol-laden tanker, reportedly speeding, lost control and overturned. The impact of the crash caused its contents to spill, sparking a massive fire.
TRACE spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi, explained that the inferno spread rapidly, destroying vehicles and electricity poles in the area. A truck, a tow vehicle, and a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) cable supplying electricity to Mowe and its environs were among the casualties of the blaze.
“Though the actual number of victims is yet to be confirmed, emergency responders including TRACE, the Ogun State Fire Service, Nestlé Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Police are currently on the scene, working to restore normalcy,” Akinbiyi said.
Authorities have diverted traffic to a single lane as rescue and decanting operations continue. Motorists were urged to remain patient and cooperate with officials managing the situation.
The TRACE spokesperson added:
“The general public, especially motorists plying the route, are advised to remain calm, obey diversion instructions, and cooperate with security and emergency personnel. We regret the inconveniences caused by this unfortunate incident.”
Tanker fire accidents are not uncommon on Nigerian highways. In October 2024, a similar incident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at Ibafo claimed one life and destroyed several vehicles. In July 2025, another tanker explosion occurred in Ibadan following a brake failure, damaging nearby vehicles.
These recurring tragedies have raised concerns about poor road safety enforcement, inadequate regulation of fuel transportation, and delayed emergency response, which often worsens the scale of damage.
