Vehicles on fire as fuel tanker explodes on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

Many vehicles got burnt after a tanker laden with fuel burst into flames on the Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday morning.

It is unclear if lives were lost in the incident which has caused serious gridlock on the expressway which connects Lagos with several states.

Firefighters and security operatives are currently at the scene.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun state, Ahmed Umar, said rescue team from Sagamu and Ogere unit of the command has been deployed to the scene.

“The fire is serious and as such the number of vehicles involved can not be ascertained yet.”

“The Ogun State fire Service was contacted and they have arrived the scene.

“FRSC operatives are on ground managing the traffic situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, drivers moving towards the Ogere tollgate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan highway, along the proposed new Kara Market inbound Ibadan, have been urged to make use of alternative routes.

The State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps ( TRACE) gave the advice in a statement.

TRACE Spokesman, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said “While rescue operations continues with the combined efforts of TRACE, FRSC, police, NSCDC and the Fire Service, motorists are advised to ply the alternative routes below:

“Vehicles moving inbound Lagos should go through Saapade-Ode/Remo-Iperu-Sagamu to relink Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“In addition, vehicles moving inbound Ibadan should also go through Sagamu-Iperu-Ode/Remo-Saapade to relink Lagos-Ibadan expressway.”