A lone petroleum tanker accident along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State on Tuesday claimed two lives comprising the driver and his assistant popularly called ‘motor boy’.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the accident, which occured at Passa Village along the expressway occurred at about 4pm on Tuesday.
The driver of the tanker with registration number NSR 966 ZQ carring 33,000 litres of petroleum, reportedly lost control, veered off the road and tumbled while the vehicle consequently ignited fire.
Spokesperson of Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, in a statement confirmed the incident and the casualties.
“At about 15:43hrs on 16 September 2025, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a petrol tanker accident and fire at Pasa village along the Ilorin–Jebba Expressway. The tanker with registration number NSR 966 ZQ, carrying 33,000 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), reportedly lost control, veered off the road, and overturned, igniting a massive fire,” he said.
Adekunle said emergency crew arrived promptly and extinguished the blaze, preventing further spread to nearby traffic.
“Sadly, the driver and the motor boy lost their lives immediately at the scene of the accident,” Adekunle said.
He expressed the sympathy of the Director of Fire Service, Prince Falade Olumuyiwa to the families of the deceased and advised all road users, particularly tanker drivers, to exercise the highest level of caution on highways.
The director emphasised the need for regular vehicle maintenance, strict adherence to speed limits, avoidance of night journeys where possible, and proper rest for drivers to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
He further urged motorists to always keep fire extinguishers in their vehicles and to promptly report emergencies to the Fire Service for timely intervention.
