Tension, panic, and grief engulfed the Oke Ado Market area of Ibadan on Friday morning after a fatal accident involving a fuel tanker claimed the life of a commercial tricycle rider.
The incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) reportedly lost control and rammed into a tricycle along the busy market road.
The impact was severe, leading to the immediate death of the tricycle rider at the scene.
Eyewitnesses said the situation quickly turned chaotic as traders, shop owners, and passersby fled the area over fears that the tanker—laden with highly flammable fuel—could ignite and cause a fire outbreak.
Emergency responders, including officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), traffic wardens, and police personnel, arrived promptly to secure the scene.
The area was cordoned off to prevent further casualties, while a fire service truck was positioned on standby to avert any possible fire incident.
However, the situation became more tense when the tanker driver reportedly fled immediately after the crash, triggering anger among residents and onlookers.
Further complications arose as members of the tricycle operators’ association staged a protest at the scene, insisting that the wrecked vehicles should not be evacuated until adequate compensation is agreed upon for the family of the deceased rider.
As a result, efforts by FRSC officials to tow the affected vehicles were temporarily stalled, with the association blocking the standby tow truck from carrying out its duties.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement as investigations into the cause of the accident continue.
