Three Die As Petrol Tanker Rams Into Vehicle, Shops in Abeokuta

Three persons were on Friday killed along axis of Ago-Oba axis of Abeokuta. Ogun State Capital when a white tanker laden with petrol, while on transit, enroute Lafenwa from Itoku axis rammed on two cars.

Public Relations Officer of Road Traffic Management of Ogun State, Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed this adding that the tanker suddenlywith  developed mechanical fault, a development which also led to traffic jam in the route

“On Friday, 24th March, 2023, at about 2100hrs, a white tanker laden with petrol, while on transit, enroute Lafenwa from Itoku axis, suddenly developed a mechical fault as it was descending the slope at Ago-Oba, towards Enu-Gada, loosing control in the process and leading to traffic jam”, he said.

Akinbiyi added that the tanker also rammed into shops and collapsed wall of a building with some people stationed on the walkway aimlessly trapped

“There and then, the tanker rammed into two (2) cars in it’s front, shops along the route and the wall of a building, with some people stationed on the walkway aimlessly trapped in the unfortunate incident”, Akinbiyi added

“However, the combined efforts of the first responders, made up of TRACE, ARMY, POLICE, NSCDC, FRSC, AMOTEKUN, SO-SAFE CORPS, VIGILANTES and the FEDERAL AND OGUN STATE FIRE SERVICE led to the rescue of the trapped victims to the hospital for medical attention.  Unfortunately, three (3) are presently confirmed dead while two (2) are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, after referral from the State hospital Ijaye Abeokuta”, he said

Akinbiyi disclosed that in another development, a lone serious crash was also recorded at the Totoro roundabout along the same route, while rescue operations was ongoing to remove those trapped at the fatal crash scene as at the time of filing this report.

The agency spokesman said the crash involved a white Howo truck, with registration number WDE 209 XC, laden with granite, adding that the driver of the said truck was injured and also attacked by street orchins for driving recklessly into a crash scene.

He said as at the time of filing this report rescue was ongoing to compound an already worsened situation, adding that the driver was in the custody of the Divisional Police Command, Enu-Gada.

“The accidented vehicles involved in the two (2) crashes has been towed off the road, after transloading of tanker was completed and the parking of granites exhausted. Similarly, the entire axis has been decanted by the Federal and State Fire Service for the safety of road users”, he stated.

“On ground to represent the state government and also console with the families of the victims was the HE, Deputy Governor of the State Engr. Naimot Salako Oyedele, in company of the Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs  Olufemi Ilori Odundan, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Ofusile and the TRACE Commander/Chief Executive, Cmdr. ‘Seni Ogunyemi”, Akinbiyi added.

“Engr. Oyedele expressed her regrets, sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and promised government’s intervention to prevent such anomaly from rearing it’s ugly head again”, the statement reads.

“In the same vein, the rescue team, including TRACE, ARMY, POLICE, NSCDC, FRSC, AMOTEKUN, SO SAFE CORPS, VIGILANTES and the FEDERAL AND STATE FIRE SERVICE also commiserate with the families of the dead and injured over the regrettable incident, charging drivers, particularly articulated drivers to adopt and apply the preventive, predictive and corrective safety precautions while using the road to avoid a calamitous situation”,Akinbiyi added.

“Equally, the general public, especially the motoring public are also admonished to avoid gathering aimlessly on the walkway and backing traffic while using the road, in view of it’s attendant consequences”, he said