Six Die, 8 Rescued As Tanker Crash Causes Fire, Gridlock On Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

A multiple-vehicle crash involving fuel tankers, articulated trucks and passenger cars has claimed six lives and left eight others injured along the Ibadan Toll Gate axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

The incident, which occurred on Friday night, quickly escalated into a fire outbreak that engulfed several vehicles and caused a major traffic standstill stretching into Saturday morning.

According to the Oyo State Fire Service, emergency responders received a distress call at about 9:29 p.m. and were immediately deployed to the scene. Upon arrival, officials found around six vehicles involved, including tankers, heavy-duty trucks, and two cars, with parts already ablaze.

Firefighters were able to contain the flames and prevent further spread to nearby vehicles and surrounding areas. Eight victims were rescued from the wreckage and handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for medical care.

Preliminary findings by the fire service suggest brake failure may have triggered the crash, though investigations are still ongoing.

The inferno and resulting blockage caused severe congestion on the busy highway corridor, leaving motorists stranded for hours and disrupting movement between Lagos and Ibadan.

Eyewitness footage circulating on social media showed long queues of stationary vehicles stretching far into the distance, with burnt tankers obstructing parts of the road and debris scattered across the expressway.

Popular comedian Woli Arole, who was among those caught in the traffic, shared a video describing how motorists were stuck for about three to four hours. He also suggested that an earlier vehicle fire may have worsened the situation and called for quicker intervention from relevant authorities.

Authorities have urged motorists to exercise caution on highways and ensure vehicles are properly maintained and equipped with functional fire extinguishers to help manage emergencies before they escalate.