A fatal road accident on Tuesday afternoon threw residents of Ibadan into panic after a petrol-laden tanker lost control and rammed into multiple tricycles along the Beere–Oje corridor.
The incident, which occurred around the Beere Oja’ba area, involved a tanker trailer reportedly loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) belonging to BOVAS with rnumber plate FMT 662 XA and no fewer than seven commercial tricycles, popularly known as keke Marwa.
Eyewitness accounts gathered by Ibadan City Announcer revealed that the tanker was descending the steep road from Beere towards Oje Market when it reportedly suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control.
The out-of-control tanker subsequently ploughed into the tricycles, crushing them on impact and leaving a trail of destruction at the scene.
As of the time of filing this report, at least three persons have been confirmed dead. Two victims reportedly died instantly at the Beere axis, while another succumbed to injuries around the Oje area.
The wreckage of the affected tricycles was seen scattered across the road, as sympathisers and passersby gathered in large numbers at the scene.
Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service arrived promptly with a water tanker as a precautionary measure, given the highly flammable nature of the PMS being transported. Their presence helped to prevent a potential fire outbreak.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, including traffic wardens, alongside officials of the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), were also deployed to the scene to manage traffic and control the crowd.
However, there was a noticeable absence of emergency medical response teams. No government or private ambulances were sighted at the scene, as injured victims were reportedly evacuated using private vehicles, including Micra taxis and cars driven by volunteers.
In a disturbing development, volunteers were seen packing the remains of some victims into sacks in a bid to clear the road and restore traffic flow.
The incident has once again raised concerns over tanker safety, road conditions, and the lack of coordinated emergency response systems in critical situations across the city.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident as investigations continue.
