By A fuel-laden tanker exploded on Saturday near Lead City University road, close to the Ibadan Toll Gate, leaving a trail of destruction and reducing shops, vehicles, and motorcycles worth millions of Naira to ashes.
The explosion, which occurred around 2:45 p.m., reportedly stemmed from the tanker toppling over while navigating a pothole-ridden diversion route caused by ongoing road repairs in the area.
Eyewitnesses said the truck driver and his assistant narrowly escaped death, while shop owners and vehicle owners suffered severe losses.
“I just heard a loud bang… before I knew it, thick smoke had covered the area. I’ve lost everything,” an affected shop owner said anonymously, visibly shaken by the incident.
Personnel from the Oyo State Fire Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service, responded swiftly and managed to contain the fire, preventing further spread to nearby shops and residential areas.
Sympathisers at the scene blamed the accident on poor road conditions and diversion routes created by the ongoing road rehabilitation project.
“The road is filled with potholes. The truck lost control while trying to manoeuvre through a bad spot,” a witness explained. “Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the property damage is massive.”
General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Service, Akinyemi Akinyinka, confirmed the incident and commended the timely intervention of the emergency response teams.
Meanwhile, security operatives have been deployed to maintain order and forestall any possible unrest among affected business owners.
