FOCUSBAZE

•30 shops, 16 vehicles burnt
One person died yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when a fuel-laden tanker burst into flames on the Lagos-Ibadan highway.
Thirty shops, four trailers and 12 commercial vehicles were burnt at Oremeji-Agugu in Ona-Ara Local Government Area.
Some commuters were injured.
The incident, which occurred at 6:30 am, was said to have been caused by a Jigawa-bound truck, registered as KZR 418 XA, loaded with wheat.
The Nation gathered that the truck’s driver lost control while trying to overtake another truck carrying pasta and noodles. The front section of the Jigawa-bound truck, eyewitnesses said, came off, ramming into a NIPCO fuel tanker parked on the roadside.
The fuel tanker burst into flames when its content spilled on the road.
Petrol attendants at Fakinlayo Filling Station close to the scene shut the station.
Owners of the razed shops broke down in tears.
Nurudeen Alimi, driver of a trailer registered JJJ 363 XB, owned by a logistics company, relived his escape.
He said: “I parked my truck by the roadside to check a faulty engine. Then I saw a wheat-laden trailer trying to overtake another trailer.

“The wheat-laden trailer lost control and broke into two. The head rammed into a NIPCO tanker parked at a distance behind my truck and there was a bang.

“Before I knew what was going on, the content of the fuel tanker started spilling on the road. I fled the scene, because I knew what would happen next.
Fire began and burnt down 30 shops and 16 Vehicles
The driver of the Jigawa-bound trailer was said to have fled the scene.