Tragedy struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday as a petrol-laden tanker reportedly killed six persons, including a motorcyclist, while leaving several others injured in a crash.
The tanker, said to be loaded with about 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, also destroyed no fewer than five tricycles during the incident.
It was gathered that the accident occurred at the Fruits Market area along the Oje–Beere axis in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area.
Eyewitnesses attributed the crash to brake failure as the tanker descended the busy Mapo–Beere–Oje road, losing control and ramming into road users.
One of the victims, a tricycle operator identified as Ademola Aderibigbe, who sustained a minor injury, recounted how he narrowly escaped death.
“I had just left a mechanic workshop and was testing my tricycle near the Beere roundabout when I heard a loud bang.
“The impact pushed me aside, and before I realised what had happened, the tanker had sped off towards Oje,” he said.
He added that several tricycles were crushed in the process.
Another eyewitness, Suleiman Oguntayo, described the incident as recurring along the route, blaming it on the poor condition of vehicles and reckless driving.
According to him, the driver lost control at the Beere end, crushing two tricycles and killing their occupants before continuing towards Oje market, where more victims were hit.
“Attempts to stop the truck were unsuccessful as it continued moving, killing more people.
“Some victims died instantly, while others were rushed to hospitals,” he said.
Oguntayo urged the state government and relevant authorities to take urgent steps to curb the frequent accidents along the corridor.
At the Mapo Divisional Police Station, a relative of one of the deceased, who spoke amid grief, said his brother died shortly after being taken to the hospital.
“My brother just named his child a few days ago. We were hopeful he would survive, but he didn’t. He left behind a newborn baby,” the relative lamented.
Another witness, an okada rider identified simply as Gafaru, suggested that the casualty figure might be higher, noting that some victims were yet to be identified at the time.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the case would be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further probe.
Also confirming the accident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said the exact number of casualties was still being verified as of press time.