A petroleum tanker carrying 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, lost control and somersaulted at Irepo Junction along the Oyo-Ogbomoso Expressway in Oyo State on Wednesday.

The incident, which occurred on June 11, 2025, involved a HOWO trailer tanker with registration number KMC65ZC from Kano. According to emergency responders, the tanker's content began gushing out after the vehicle overturned, creating a potentially hazardous situation.

Fortunately, no casualties were recorded in the accident, which authorities attributed to the driver's lack of concentration while operating the vehicle.

Swift Emergency Response

Hon. Maroof Akinwande, chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed that the incident was reported at exactly 3:51 pm on Wednesday. Emergency personnel responded promptly to prevent what could have been a catastrophic situation.

"On arrival, we met a falling HOWO trailer tanker with registration number KMC65ZC (Kano) of 60,000 litres capacity loaded with Premium Motor Spirit. It lost control whilst in motion and somersaulted to the roadside with its content gushing out," Akinwande stated.

"We quickly covered the spillage with chemical foam compound to neutralise the flame of the liquid which can trigger naked fire from close or far place," he added.

The Federal Fire Service also participated in the operation, while officers from the Nigerian Police Force's Ojongbodu Division in Oyo provided security at the accident scene.

Safety Concerns

This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns regarding the transportation of hazardous materials on Nigerian highways. Fuel tanker accidents have been a recurring issue across the country, often resulting in fires, environmental damage, and in some cases, loss of lives.

The quick response of emergency services in this case prevented what could have potentially been a more serious incident, particularly given the highly flammable nature of the spilled fuel.

Authorities continue to urge commercial vehicle drivers, especially those transporting hazardous materials, to exercise caution and maintain focus while driving to prevent similar accidents.

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