Petrol Tanker Overturns in Oyo with 45,000 Litres of Fuel, Prompting Safety Warnings

A fuel-laden tanker carrying approximately 45,000 litres of petrol overturned on the Moniya–Iseyin expressway in Oyo State, prompting urgent intervention from emergency responders and raising serious concerns over fuel transport safety standards in Nigeria.

The accident occurred in mid-morning traffic when the tanker failed to navigate a bend, flipped onto its side, and began spilling its contents across the roadway.

Local emergency personnel mobilized quickly to cordon off the area, divert traffic, and monitor for ignition risks. A dangerous situation was averted when leaks were contained before sparks or heat sources triggered combustion. Witnesses reported visible concern among motorists and nearby residents as fuel pooled across the pavement. No casualties have been confirmed, though authorities conducted precautionary medical checks on drivers and pedestrians at the site.

The incident has drawn renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols governing petrol transportation. Analysts pointed out frequent overloading, poorly maintained vehicles, and lack of driver training as contributing factors behind recurrent fuel accidents nationwide. In response, the Federal Road Safety Corps announced plans to conduct proactive audits of fuel tankers and escalate safety inspections along high-traffic routes.

Oyo State’s Ministry of Transportation also pledged to convene stakeholders—tanker operators, transport companies, and regulatory agencies—to review and update guidelines, particularly focusing on vehicle weight limits, speed regulation, and emergency containment procedures. The tanker overturn in Oyo is the latest in a series of dangerous fuel road incidents reported across Nigeria in recent years, underscoring the high stakes involved in transporting flammable cargo through populated areas.