Tragedy struck on Tuesday along the Ilorin–Jebba highway as a petrol tanker accident claimed the lives of two persons at Pasa village in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims, identified as the tanker driver and his motor boy, died instantly after their vehicle, laden with about 30,000 litres of petrol, overturned and went up in flames.
The incident, which occurred around 3:43 p.m., caused panic among motorists and passersby, as thick smoke billowed from the scene. Emergency officials, however, swiftly curtailed the fire, preventing it from spreading to other vehicles on the busy highway.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, said:
“Our men responded immediately to the distress call. The fire was brought under control, but sadly, the two occupants of the tanker lost their lives on the spot.”
Director of the state fire service, Prince Falade John Olumuyiwa, described the accident as “deeply regrettable,” and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
He further cautioned tanker drivers and other road users to prioritise safety by maintaining their vehicles, observing speed limits, and avoiding fatigue on long journeys.
Olumuyiwa also appealed to motorists to equip their vehicles with functional fire extinguishers and to promptly notify emergency services during incidents.
Traffic on the highway was temporarily halted as firefighters battled the inferno and cleared the wreckage.
