A tanker loaded with premium motor spirit (PMS) has exploded in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, leading to the death of the driver.

 

Yemi Akinyinka, the general manager of Oyo state fire services agency, said the incident happened on Wednesday at the Iwo expressway.

 

He said the petrol tanker lost control and rammed into two other trucks before it somersaulted into a nearby pit where it exploded.

 

Akinyinka said the truck driver was burnt to death while the motor boy sustained injuries, but was rescued alive.

 

“The incident happened around Fijabi House, Agbowo, Ojoo, Iwo road expressway. The agency received a distress call about the fire incident at exactly 2:45 a.m. through a telephone call,”  Akinyinka said.

 

“Then the service swiftly deployed personnel to the scene and curtailed the fire from spreading to the nearby residential area. On arrival, we met three  trucks 20 metres distance from one another that were involved in the fire incident.

 

“The driver was burnt to death while the motor boy was rescued alive and taken to the  University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for treatment.”

 

Akinyinka said Ismail Adeleke, the agency’s director of operations, with his team, the police and some other security agencies were at the scene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

 

On Saturday, an explosion occurred in Gurara LGA of Niger state when a tanker conveying petrol crashed leading to the death of 98 people.

 

Earlier this month, at least two people reportedly died in a petrol tanker explosion in Agbor town in Ika LGA of Delta state.