Gridlock as petrol tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

A petrol-laden tanker has exploded at the Ibafo/Aseese axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The explosion, which occurred around 7am on Saturday, disrupted vehicular movement on the road.

There is currently gridlock on some major routes in Lagos due to the accident.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson of the Ogun state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), confirmed the incident in a terse statement.

Akinbiyi said no casualty was recorded from the explosion.

Firefighters were immediately deployed to the scene, with personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) redirecting traffic, he added. 

“Fire update at Ibafo. As of 0830 hrs, the fire has finally been put to rest. Traffic is gradually moving,” the statement reads.

“Operatives are on the ground to ease the traffic. I will provide additional updates later.”

Tanker explosions have been a recurring decimal across the country, with attendant loss of lives and properties.

Last month, one person was killed with two others injured when a gas tanker exploded at Ita-Oshin, on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.