Multiple Fatalities Reported in Fuel Tanker Explosion in Ilorin, Kwara State
A tragic fuel tanker explosion has claimed the lives of multiple passengers in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, following a horrific incident on Friday morning.
The explosion occurred at the Iyemanja community along the Okolowo expressway in Ilorin, where a raging fire engulfed vehicles in its path. A Facebook user, Orioye Chanter Ijobaibile, who posted a live video of the scene, described the terrifying situation. In the video, Ijobaibile narrated, “People are inside the cars, and it is burning. What is even more alarming is the presence of other fuel trucks passing by the fire, posing an even greater risk. We are waiting for security operatives to intervene and prevent further disaster.”
As of the latest updates, emergency responders had yet to arrive on the scene, with the fire continuing to spread and threatening nearby vehicles and properties.
This devastating incident follows a similar fuel tanker explosion in Niger State just weeks earlier, where multiple lives were lost in a horrific blast. In January, a fuel tanker exploded near Suleja, Niger State, killing at least 98 people, with numerous others injured. The explosion occurred when individuals attempted to siphon gasoline from a crashed tanker using a generator, triggering the deadly blast.
In October 2024, another explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, left over 140 people dead, when a fuel tanker overturned and exploded while local residents attempted to collect the leaking fuel.
Fuel tanker explosions have tragically become a recurring nightmare in Nigeria, often linked to poor road conditions, reckless driving, and the dangerous practice of siphoning fuel from damaged tankers. Despite the frequency of these tragedies, authorities have struggled to enforce stringent safety measures to prevent further incidents.
The latest explosion in Ilorin adds to the growing concern over fuel tanker safety in Nigeria, with many calling for urgent reforms to prevent such devastating accidents.
