Panic swept through parts of Ibadan, Oyo State, on the evening of Thursday, July 18, after a petrol tanker burst into flames at Celica junction along the New Ife Expressway. The fire, which broke out around 6:27 p.m., was the result of a tragic accident involving a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of petrol.

Eyewitnesses say the tanker lost control after suffering a brake failure, crashing into multiple vehicles before tipping over and igniting. The resulting explosion sent flames and thick smoke into the sky, sparking chaos and fear among residents and commuters in the area.

Emergency responders, including officers from the Oyo State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service, quickly moved in to contain the blaze. 

Maroof Akinwande, chairman of the state fire service, confirmed that his team used chemical foam to fight the fire and successfully prevented it from reaching a nearby NNPC filling station and other surrounding structures. 

According to him, swift coordination between response teams helped avoid a far greater disaster.

Although the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, early reports suggest that several vehicles and nearby properties were affected by the fire. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but locals say the impact of the explosion was deeply felt, especially by shop owners and residents near the scene.

This incident adds to a growing list of fire-related emergencies that have plagued Nigeria in recent months. 

From market fires in Kaduna to building blazes in Kano and Ilorin, the country has seen repeated losses due to preventable disasters. In January 2024 alone, fires tore through Bodija in Ibadan, Gwarimpa in Abuja, and Rigasa in Kaduna, highlighting the urgent need for stronger safety regulations and improved emergency response systems.

Oyo State, in particular, has been hit hard. Earlier reports confirmed that properties worth millions were lost to multiple fires across Ibadan, even before this latest tanker explosion. 

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and report any early signs of mechanical faults in heavy-duty vehicles, especially those carrying hazardous materials.

As investigations continue into the cause of Thursday’s explosion, many are calling on both government and private transport operators to enforce stricter maintenance checks on fuel tankers.