At least six people were killed and several others injured when a truck laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly called petrol, lost control along Beere/Agodi Road in Ibadan on Tuesday.
The truck also destroyed no fewer than six tricycles, locally known as ‘Keke Marwa’. The vehicle belongs to a leading petroleum marketer in Oyo State.
Eyewitnesses said the driver lost control of the tanker at the Beere end of the road. The vehicle first ran over two tricycles at Beere, killing both passengers instantly before moving towards the popular Oje Market.
All efforts to stop the truck failed, resulting in the deaths of another four people at the market. All victims reportedly died on the spot, while those with injuries were rushed to various hospitals in the city.
One of the survivors, identified as Kamoru, recounted his narrow escape. “I was test-running my tricycle after leaving the mechanic village when the truck rammed into it. I am lucky to be alive,” he said.
At the Divisional Police Station in Mapo, a grieving relative of one of the victims described the tragedy. “My brother named his daughter three days ago. Now he is gone. Initially, he lost both legs before giving up the ghost in the hospital. He left behind a 10-day-old child,” the relative said.
An Okada rider, Gafaru, suggested the toll might be higher. “There are corpses packed in polythene bags that could not be identified,” he said.
A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that two corpses and the affected vehicles were taken to the Mapo Divisional Police Station.
The case will be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, also confirmed the incident but could not provide the exact number of casualties.
