Petrol Tanker Explosion Sparks Chaos On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
A catastrophic explosion rocked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, when a petrol-laden tanker overturned and burst into flames at the NASFAT U-Turn axis near Aseese Bus Stop, causing significant disruption and widespread concern. The incident, confirmed by the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), led to severe traffic congestion and affected nearby vehicles, though early reports suggest no fatalities occurred.
The blaze, which erupted in the afternoon, sent plumes of thick black smoke into the sky, with the fire spreading rapidly and engulfing several vehicles in the vicinity. According to Florence Okpe, the FRSC’s Education Officer, emergency response teams, including FRSC operatives and Ogun State Fire Service personnel, were swiftly deployed to contain the inferno. While the precise cause of the tanker’s fall remains under investigation, eyewitness accounts suggest reckless driving or loss of control may have contributed to the accident.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), reported that the explosion occurred on the outbound Lagos lane, severely disrupting traffic flow. Motorists heading from Lagos were diverted through the Christ Embassy camp to mitigate the gridlock, which left scores of commuters stranded for hours. “The fire has caused significant delays, and we urge drivers to plan their journeys accordingly,” Akinbiyi stated.
Social media posts on X captured the public’s alarm, with users sharing images of the towering flames and charred vehicles. One post described the scene as “horrific,” noting that “many vehicles were burnt” at the Olowotedo area, while another expressed relief that no lives were reportedly lost. However, an unverified claim on X alleged the death of a policeman and suggested locals were looting products from a nearby tanker carrying beverages, though this could not be corroborated by official sources.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a critical artery connecting Nigeria’s economic hub to other regions, has a history of deadly tanker accidents, often attributed to poor road conditions, overloading, or driver error. A similar incident in May 2024 at the Ibafo axis caused significant disruption but resulted in no casualties, while a 2022 explosion near Sagamu claimed multiple lives. These recurring tragedies have renewed calls for stricter regulations on tanker maintenance and driver training.
Emergency services worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire, with TRACE reporting that the blaze was brought under control by late afternoon. The FRSC has yet to confirm injuries, though some reports indicate two people may have been hurt. Nearby estates and properties were also at risk as the fire spread through drainage channels, prompting urgent action from firefighters.
Authorities have advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch of the expressway and explore alternative routes. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of road safety in Nigeria, with campaigners urging the government to address systemic issues in the transport sector to prevent future disasters.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on restoring normalcy to the highway and ensuring the safety of commuters. The resilience of Nigeria’s emergency services and the absence of confirmed fatalities offer a glimmer of hope amid the chaos of this latest tragedy.
