Five persons died on Saturday when a diesel-laden tanker crashed into several vehicles along the Iwo Road–Ojoo Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The accident, which occurred at about 10 a.m. at Aduloju Bus Stop, opposite Dominion City, involved a 45,000-litre tanker and some commercial vehicles, including Nissan Micra cabs.
The victims were identified as two men, including a commercial driver, and three female passengers.
Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Adeoye Ayoade, said preliminary investigation showed the tanker suffered brake failure before falling on one of the Micra cars and trapping its occupants.
Ayoade attributed the scale of the crash to traffic congestion caused by a broken-down trailer conveying motor spare parts at Arilogu earlier in the morning.
The Oyo State Police Command also confirmed the accident, saying the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, had ordered deployment of officers to secure the scene and assist rescue operations.
Officials of the police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and OYRTMA were mobilised to manage traffic and evacuate the wreckage.
The remains of the victims have been deposited at the Adeoyo Hospital Mortuary.
