A major disaster was narrowly averted on Friday, May 30, 2025, when a petrol tanker carrying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, crashed in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The incident, which occurred at the Ayanyan area along the Ogbomoso/Ilorin Expressway, triggered fears of a possible fire outbreak due to the volatile nature of the substance involved.
According to eyewitnesses, the tanker—bearing the registration number MAG 20 XB (Borno)—was traveling along the expressway when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The tanker veered off the road and plunged into a nearby pit, spilling a substantial quantity of petrol in the process.
The Oyo State Fire Service responded swiftly to prevent what could have been a catastrophic inferno. In a statement released on Saturday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, confirmed that the agency received a distress call at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday, alerting them to the crash.
“On Friday, 30th May 2025, at exactly 12:30 hrs, the distress call was reported via telephone through Alfa Kabiru Aderibigbe concerning a petrol tanker accident at Ayanyan area along the Ogbomoso/Ilorin express road in Ogbomoso,” Akinwande stated.
Fire Averted as 45,000-Litre Petrol Tanker Crashes in Ogbomoso, Oyo State
He explained that a team of fire personnel, led by PFS11 Oluwaleye, was immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the firefighters found the overturned petrol tanker, which was still leaking fuel, posing an imminent threat of fire or explosion.
The fire service team wasted no time in executing emergency protocols. “We swiftly swung into action by carpeting the spillage with foam chemical compound to suppress and neutralize the flammability. This crucial step helped prevent any possible ignition sources from triggering a fire outbreak,” Akinwande explained.
Thanks to the prompt response and effective intervention by the fire service, there were no casualties. “No lives were lost, and properties worth millions of naira were saved,” he added.
The operation was conducted in collaboration with other relevant agencies. CFS Awoyemi Seyi of the Oyo Fire Service was on ground to coordinate the firefighting efforts, while officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were present to provide security and manage traffic around the accident scene.
The incident caused temporary gridlock along the expressway as emergency teams worked to secure the area and prevent further spillage. Commuters were advised to exercise patience and follow alternate routes until the situation was fully under control.
Fire averted as 45,000 litres petrol tanker crashes in Oyo
This incident has once again highlighted the persistent risk posed by the transportation of highly flammable materials on Nigerian roads, especially in densely populated areas. In recent years, multiple fire disasters have occurred due to similar tanker crashes, often resulting in loss of lives and property.
Public safety advocates have renewed their calls for stricter regulations concerning the maintenance and operation of fuel tankers. Many have also urged government agencies to ensure that only qualified and experienced drivers handle such sensitive cargo, and that tankers undergo regular safety inspections.
While commending the quick response of the emergency services, residents of Ogbomoso are calling on the Oyo State government and federal transport authorities to take steps to improve road safety along the Ogbomoso/Ilorin Expressway, which has been the site of several accidents in the past.
For now, the swift and coordinated response of the Oyo State Fire Service and other first responders has prevented what could have been a major tragedy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding lives and property.
