November 28, (THEWILL) – A fully-loaded petrol tanker, on Sunday, exploded around Oju-Irin in Lafenwa area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
THEWILL learnt that the tanker, due to axle problem, overturned around 04:45am while making its way inbound Rounder from Oju-Irin, spilling its content on the road.
Spokesman of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the incident, said shops in the area were affected by the fire.
He said the tanker was engulfed in fire due to the uncooperative attitude of people around the axis who were scooping fuel.
He advised the general public to vacate the vicinity, saying that TRACE, police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Fire Service were all on the ground to put the situation under control.
He warned the general public, particularly the motoring public, domiciled or moving around the axis to remain calm and co-operative by avoiding scooping of fuel, use of handset and cooking gas so as not to spark off fire.
“Moreover, the motoring public going inward Rounder axis from Lafenwa, should use Olomore and Oke-Ata axis respectively as alternative routes, since traffic has been diverted away from the area of the incident”, he said.
Akinbiyi stated that further information would be provided to the media as soon as possible.
FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Ahmed Umar, who also confirmed the incident, said his officers are currently in the area to control traffic.
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