Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan

IBADAN, Nigeria – A midnight fire has gutted at least 20 shops at the NIPOST Shopping Complex in the Dugbe area of Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying goods estimated to be worth over ₦100 million. The tragic incident has left traders counting their losses and raised serious concerns about safety in one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial districts.

The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a Lexus sedan, driven by a suspected drunk driver, crashed into a shop along the Dugbe–Iyaganku axis. According to eyewitness accounts, the vehicle was traveling from the Queen’s Cinema area towards Iyaganku when the driver allegedly lost control due to excessive speed and suspected alcohol consumption.

The car reportedly rammed into a giant billboard in front of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) station, somersaulted several times, and split into two parts. The rear section of the vehicle, which contained a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tank and back tyres, rolled into the nearby NIPOST Shopping Complex and exploded on impact, igniting a massive fire that rapidly spread to adjoining shops.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency confirmed receiving a distress call at exactly 11:37 p.m. on Saturday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters led by Chief Fire Superintendent Adedeji. Personnel from both the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and the Federal Fire Service worked together to extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading to the General Post Office and other adjoining commercial buildings in the area.

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Eyewitnesses said the blaze escalated rapidly due to the nature of goods stored in the affected shops, which included stationery materials, computer sets, photocopiers, clothing items, and other valuable goods. The highly combustible nature of some of these items made it difficult for early intervention efforts to contain the flames before significant damage was done.

Despite the severity of the accident and the ensuing fire, no casualties were recorded, and the two occupants of the Lexus reportedly escaped without injuries. Sources claimed the occupants were suspected internet fraudsters heading to a nightclub on the Ring Road axis at the time of the incident.

The billboard destroyed in the crash reportedly bore campaign messages of Hon. Adedeji Dhokrullahi Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) , and Hon. Adebukola Ajaja of the Accord Party, both aspirants for the Oyo South Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

When journalists visited the scene at about 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, security personnel and firefighters were still working to completely extinguish the flames and secure the affected area. One of the affected traders, Mr. Kingsley Chioma, lamented the losses suffered by shop owners and disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Iyaganku Police Station had assured victims that efforts were underway to arrest the driver responsible for the incident.

The Oyo State Fire Services Agency commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Iyaganku Divisional Headquarters, for providing adequate security throughout the operation and confirmed that no casualties were recorded in the incident.

The tragedy has left shop owners and residents in shock, with many describing the destruction as a devastating blow to commercial activities in the busy Dugbe business district, one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial hubs. Authorities are expected to carry out a full assessment of the incident to determine the exact extent of damage and investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and subsequent fire.

Goods Worth N100m Lost as CNG Vehicle Explodes, Triggers Fire in Ibadan