Two killed as fuel tanker plunges into ditch in Ibadan

No fewer than two people lost their lives on Saturday in a road accident involving a petroleum tanker in Ibadan.

The incident occurred in the Sat Guru Maharaj area along the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway.

Tribune Online learnt that the petroleum tanker, with registration number BDJ 27IXG, loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), swerved off the road and plunged into a nearby ditch.

It was gathered that the two victims, who were trapped in the tanker, died on the spot, while their remains were recovered by men of the Oyo State Fire Service and later handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said preliminary information indicated that the accident was caused by brake failure.

He said: “Upon arrival, it was discovered that a MAC trailer tanker with registration number BDJ 27IXG (Oyo), loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), had swerved off the road and plunged into a nearby ditch.

“Two male occupants were trapped in the accident. The victims were subsequently handed over to a team of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers led by Comr S. Oyegoke for further necessary action.”