OYO: Two killed in petrol tanker explosion

Two persons have been killed in a blaze after a tanker loaded with petrol skidded off the Ibadan end of the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

The accident occurred at Onipepeye area, along Iwo Road in Ibadan, the state capital.

The police authorities in Oyo State confirmed the incident to Journalists on Thursday.

According to them, the tanker spilled its content into a nearby juncture while an unverified number of people sustained burns of several degrees.

An eyewitness explained that some people rushed to the scene and started scooping fuel from the tanker shortly after it skidded off.

Read also: NAF panel to investigate alleged civilian deaths in Zamfara operations

However, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has sympathised with the families of victims of the fire, describing the incident as disheartening.

In a condolence statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, the governor said:

“I condole with the families and friends of those who died in the accident and I wish those injured speedy recoveries.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to vehicle owners to put their vehicles in good condition before hitting the road during this festive season.”

It was also learnt that an attempt to start a broken-down vehicle nearby was said to have kindled the areas around the spill, causing the tanker to explode.

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