’10 killed’ as tanker crashes into market in Oyo

Ten residents have been reportedly killed, following a crash involving a gas tanker in Molete area of Ibadan, the Oyo capital.

The incident occurred on Sunday, when an articulated vehicle conveying gas crashed into the market.

TheCable understands that the driver of the vehicle, which was coming from Idi-Arere area of Ibadan, lost control of the tanker, and in an attempt to veer off the road, rammed into some shops.

Many people were injured in the accident, while several vehicles were destroyed.

Officers of the Oyo state fire service were mobilised to the market to prevent the gas tanker from exploding.

The market is located a few kilometres from the palace of Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Yanju Adegboyega, media aide to the monarch, told TheCable that there was a directive for the market to be closed for seven days.

“During the last market festival in Ibadan, it was advised that the same market should be closed for seven days. Today is the seventh day, which means that the market should be opened tomorrow,” Adegboyega said.

“However, some of the traders have been sneaking into the market to sell despite the seven-day closure. The information we have is that the owner of the particular shop that the vehicle ran into has been opening her shop for the past five days. She and her customer were killed in the accident.

“At least 10 people have died in the accident. This number includes traders, customers and passers-by. Several vehicles were seriously damaged.”