Fuel Tanker explodes in Lagos, leading to the death of 7 people

Seven persons were feared dead with several others injured after a truck loaded with 33,000 litres of petroleum product exploded at Ibafo, along the Lagos-Ibadan Express way, Tuesday night.

 There were different accounts on how the explosion occurred. A version said a tanker, belonging to Total Oil Nigeria Limited, collided with a heavy log, skidded off its lane and fell on the expressway, spilling its content.

Another version claimed a commercial bus marked (LAGOS) AGL 373 XR, rammed into the truck with number plates RAN 571 XA, while transferring its content into another truck, leading to multiple accidents, involving four vehicles.

 A third version said the driver of the fuel-laden truck moving towards Ibadan, Oyo State, attempted to overtake another truck at a diversion point, but lost control, veered off its lane and crashed into the commercial bus that was coming from the opposite direction. 

Road side hawkers of petroleum products, occupants of some shanties at Kara area of Ibafo were affected. Eyewitnesses said some of the victims were scooping the spilled content when the fire started. Users of the ever busy expressway were trapped for over 10 hours, as the resultant gridlock stretched from Arepo-Prayer city to Mowe.