The Oyo State Fire Services Agency has averted a potential tanker explosion after a trailer loaded with 45,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) swerved off the road and crashed into a ditch along New Moniya Road, Ibadan.

The incident was reported to the agency through a telephone call from a resident, Mr. Lekan.

The agency said its personnel, led by an Assistant Chief Fire Superintendent (ACFS),  promptly responded to the scene, where they found a red FONTO trailer tanker with registration number FKJ 843 XL (Lagos) in the ditch.
According to the agency, the tanker, which was carrying 45,000 litres of AGO, had swerved off the road following an apparent failure of its braking system.

The firefighters immediately deployed foam chemical compounds to blanket the spilled petroleum product and successfully brought the situation under control, thereby preventing a possible explosion.
No casualty was recorded in the incident.

Teams from the Federal Road Safety Corps, led by the Moniya Division; the Nigeria Police Force from the Moniya Divisional Headquarters; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Moniya Command; and the Amotekun Corps were also at the scene to maintain law and order and support the operation.

The Special Adviser on Fire Service Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Hon. Dr Moroof Akinwande, urged motorists and members of the public to remain fire-conscious and ensure regular maintenance of vehicles.

He also urged road users to comply strictly with traffic regulations to reduce the risk of accidents and other emergencies.

Akinwande also stressed the importance of installing functional fire extinguishers in public and commercial buildings and other properties to enable occupants to tackle fire outbreaks at the incipient stage.