Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged commercial vehicle operators within the state to refrain from transporting flammable materials in their vehicles to ensure the safety of passengers.

This caution follows a tragic incident involving a commercial vehicle on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Interchange Expressway near the Muhammadu Buhari Estate. The accident claimed the lives of 16 persons.

The vehicle in question was reportedly carrying a filled gas cylinder when it exploded, leading to a fire outbreak. The governor, in a statement, yesterday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said the accident was preventable.

He emphasised the critical need for stringent handling and transportation protocols regarding highly flammable substances, including gas and petroleum products.

Abiodun urged the two major transportation unions, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Roads Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), to educate their members about the dangers associated with the transportation of hazardous materials.

He, however, extended heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, praying for divine comfort and strength to help them cope with their irreplaceable losses.