No fewer than four vehicles were reportedly burnt and several persons sustained varying degrees of injuries as petrol-loaded trucks caught fire on the Ibadan-Ife expressway on Saturday.
The affected vehicles, according to the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services, Yemi Akinyinka, were the petrol-loaded truck, an 18-passenger bus, middle-size truck, and a Micra taxi.
Confirming the tragic incident, the State Fire Service spokeswoman said the accident happened at Circular Road Junction in the Egbeda Local Government Area of the state, causing a traffic gridlock on the road.
Motorists and commuters were left for several hours as the Federal Fire Service in conjunction with security agencies tried to put the situation under control.
Akinyinka, who confirmed the incident, said, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by some residents trying to use the leakage opportunities for their beneficiary’s use.
“Four trucks completely destroyed, one petroleum truck, 18 passengers, one small truck, and one micra were all affected. Some people suffered minor injuries,” he confirmed.