- Six Die as Tankers, Trucks Collide and Burst Into Flames at Ibadan Toll Gate
- Brake Failure Suspected
- Motorists Stranded for Hours
No fewer than six persons have lost their lives in a devastating multiple-vehicle crash involving tankers, articulated trucks and passenger cars at the Ibadan Toll Gate section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the accident, which occurred late Friday, also triggered a fire outbreak that caused severe traffic congestion, leaving commuters stranded for several hours into Saturday along the busy corridor.
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Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Mr. Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, disclosing that eight other victims were rescued from the wreckage and handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for medical attention.
According to him, the agency received a distress call at about 9:29 p.m. from a police officer, identified as Sola Rotimi, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighters to the scene.
Akinwande said emergency responders arrived to find about six vehicles involved in the crash, including gas tankers, heavy-duty trucks and two cars, with parts of the accident scene already engulfed in flames.
He noted that firefighters quickly brought the situation under control, preventing the blaze from spreading to other vehicles and nearby properties.
Preliminary findings, he added, indicate that brake failure may have been responsible for the collision.
The Fire Service boss urged motorists to exercise caution on highways and ensure their vehicles are fitted with functional fire extinguishers to help contain emergencies before they escalate.
Videos circulating on social media showed a long queue of stationary vehicles stretching along the expressway, as burnt tankers and debris blocked sections of the road, worsening the traffic situation and frustrating travellers.
Popular comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin, popularly known as Woli Arole, was among those caught in the gridlock. In a video shared on Facebook, he lamented that commuters had been stranded for between three and four hours.
He appealed to relevant authorities to intervene swiftly, warning intending travellers heading to Ibadan to reconsider their journeys due to the heavy congestion.
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