“Driver Dies in Petrol Tanker Fire; ‘Motor Boy’ Rescued by Oyo Fire Service”

A tragic accident on the Iwo-Ojoo Road in Ibadan claimed the life of a petrol tanker driver, while his assistant, known as a ‘Motor Boy,’ was rescued by the Oyo State Fire Service in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident also saw the Fire Service prevent a potential fire disaster that could have severely affected nearby residential buildings.

I.A. Adeleke, Director of Operations at the Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed the unfortunate event, revealing that the driver’s body was recovered from the blaze, while the assistant was taken to the University College Hospital (UCH) for treatment.

The fire completely engulfed the petrol tanker, but two other trucks and vehicle parts at the scene were salvaged by the Fire Service personnel. According to Adeleke, the accident occurred when the petrol tanker, which was loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), lost control, colliding with two other trucks. The impact caused the vehicles to overturn into a nearby ditch, triggering a devastating fire.

“The fire was reported at exactly 02:45 hrs on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, by Mr. Akinbantan, who informed us that a petrol tanker was on fire in front of Honourable Fijabi House, Agbowo, along the Ojoo/Iwo Road,” Adeleke said.

The fire service team, led by Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent Ogunkanbi, responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to find three trucks about 20 meters apart, all involved in the fire. The team quickly applied chemical compounds to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas.

Adeleke praised the quick action of the fire personnel, highlighting that their prompt response averted what could have been a catastrophic disaster, given that the tanker was loaded with flammable petroleum.