Scores of commuters escaped death on Saturday, September 7, 2024, when a petrol tanker went up in flames at Ajia junction on Ibadan-Ife Road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It was gathered that the driver of the tanker was attempting to divert to another lane when it caught fire at about 4:45 p.m.

The incident left a mini truck, one commuter bus, a Micra car, one tricycle, and two motorcycles burnt.

An eyewitness, Biodun Ayoola, disclosed that all the occupants of the affected vehicles hurriedly took to their heels sighting the petrol tanker on fire.

According to Ayoola, the ongoing construction of a pedestrian bridge at Ajia junction made the contractor to block one lane, diverting vehicles to the other lane.

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“The petrol tanker caught fire while trying to link the other lane and exploded but we thank God that all the occupants of the affected vehicles and motorcycles escaped from the scene before the explosion,” he said.

The incident was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Oyo State, Mayowa Odewo.

Odewo said officers of the command in Egbeda axis were at the scene, adding that a statement would be issued immediately after completing the operations.

The Star