Five people die in tanker accident in Ibadan

At least five people died when a diesel tanker crashed into several cars along the Iwo Road-Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

The crash happened around 10 am on Saturday at Aduloju Bus Stop, near Dominion City. A fully loaded diesel tanker collided with Nissan Micra commercial cars and other vehicles.

Adeoye Ayoade, the General Manager of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, confirmed the accident to Sunday PUNCH.

Ayoade explained that the crash started due to traffic congestion. A long trailer carrying motor spare parts broke down at Arilogu around 5 am. He said, "A long trailer carrying motor spare parts broke down at the Arilogu area around 5 am. They said the driver was taken to the hospital while they were waiting for the vehicle that would transload it. So, the traffic started building up there, causing a long traffic."

He continued, "The tanker carrying diesel lost its brake and fell. About six vehicles were involved in the crash, both private cars and Micra. The tank on the truck then rolled on top of one of the Micra."

Ayoade added, "The five people inside the Micra, two males including the driver at the front and three females sitting at the back, died."

Olayinka Ayanlade, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, also confirmed the incident. He said the accident took place around Kajorepo.

Ayanlade shared that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, ordered the Divisional Police Officer in Kajorepo and nearby patrol teams to secure the area and help those involved. He noted, "Yes, there was an accident earlier today at around Kajorepo. Immediately, this report got to the command, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, directed the DPO Kajorepo and other nearby patrols to secure the scene and rescue those involved."

The GM of OYRTMA mentioned that the victims' bodies were taken to the Adeoyo Hospital Mortuary. He added that the damaged vehicles were towed to a police station.

Ayoade said OYRTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the police were on ground to manage the situation and restore traffic.

A video shared by our correspondent showed the tanker’s container resting on one of the Micra cars, with the driver and passengers trapped inside.

The tanker was later lifted off the vehicle, allowing OYRTMA, FRSC, and police personnel to remove the victims from the wreckage.

The accident caused heavy traffic along the busy route, with traffic officials directing motorists to clear the blockage.

Ayoade later confirmed that the affected vehicles had been removed from the road and traffic had returned to normal.