A tanker laden with premium motor spirit exploded in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday, as the development sent shivers down the spines of the residents.
This is as no casualty was recorded as at the time of this report, even as residents have continued to monitor the situation in fear.
It was gathered that the incident occurred around noon when the tanker which was heading toward Kwara State suddenly exploded.
Men of the Fire Service were on ground to put out the fire.
The incident caused heavy gridlock along the road as commuters were forced to take alternative routes.
Some residents of the community joined Fire Service men to extinguish the fire.
A resident of the community named John said, “the tanker was going towards Offa, Kwara State when it suddenly caught fire at Ijabe. We fled, we don’t know where the driver is, but we were told that he escaped with his motorboy.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Osun State Command, Kehinde Adeleke confirmed the incident.
She said “A Thirty-three thousand liters tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is on fire presently at Ijabe town, right on the highway which links Osun state with Kwara state.
“The cause of the fire outbreak is yet to be ascertained. The incident has led to blockage of road and has also caused obstruction to vehicular movement, which in turn has brought about panic to the dwellers, travellers and most especially the farmers around the area.”