Many feared dead in Ogun petrol tanker explosion

Many people were feared dead Sunday morning when a petrol tanker exploded around the Oju Irin Lafenwa area of Abeokuta in Ogun State.

Several other people around the area during the explosion were also injured by the inferno, just as shops and buildings around the axis were destroyed.

Spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident, saying the tanker exploded owing to some people around the area scooping petrol, which sparked the fire.

He said the tanker, owing to an axle problem, overturned around 4.45am while making its way inbound Rounder from Oju-Irin, Lafenwa, causing it to spill its content on the road.

He asked residents to vacate the vicinity, saying TRACE, police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Fire Service are on the ground to bring the situation under control.

“Moreover, the motoring public going inward Rounder axis from Lafenwa, should use Olomore and Oke-Ata axis respectively as alternative routes, since traffic has been diverted away from the area of incident,” he added.

The spokesperson said further information will be provided to the media as soon as possible.

Ahmed Umar, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in the state, also confirmed the incident, saying officers of the command were around to control traffic.