A devastating tanker fire accident occurred around 1 a.m. on Friday along the Abeokuta Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State, Nigeria, leaving an unconfirmed number of people dead.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) reported that a 33,000 litre petrol tanker overturned due to excessive speeding, spilling its contents on the highway and igniting a massive fire.
The incident happened at the Abeokuta Kobape Siun Sagamu Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway, causing a huge blaze that engulfed nearby vehicles and electric poles. TRACE spokesperson Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed the incident, stating that rescue and emergency services were deployed to contain the fire and restore order. “The case of an inferno caused by a 30,000 litre fuel laden tanker which fell on its side and spilled its contents around 0100hrs today, along the Abeokuta Kobape Siun Sagamu Interchange stretch of the PMB Expressway, due to excessive speed and loss of control, has been reported,” Akinbiyi said.
Rescue teams have quenched the fire and begun the decantation process. Traffic within the corridor has been diverted to a single lane, and motorists are advised to be patient and cooperate with emergency responders. Akinbiyi urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the diversion and re routing of traffic. “The general public, particularly the motoring public on transit along the route, is implored to be calm, patient, and cooperate with the diversion and re routing of traffic put in place by TRACE, Police, Ogun State Fire Service, FRSC, Amotekun, and the NSCDC,” he said.
The incident has resulted in the destruction of a truck, a tow vehicle, and a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) power cable supplying electricity to Mowe and surrounding areas. The Ogun State government has not released an official statement on the number of fatalities, but the incident has sparked widespread concern about road safety in the region.
This is not the first time a tanker explosion has occurred on Nigerian roads. In October 2024, a petrol tanker fire at Ibafo on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway claimed one life and destroyed several vehicles. Similarly, in July 2025, a petrol tanker explosion in Ibadan after brake failure resulted in massive losses.
The TRACE spokesperson expressed regret over the incident and the inconvenience it has caused. “Any inconveniences as a result of this unfortunate incident are highly regretted,” Akinbiyi added.
