Fatal Tanker Fire: Mother of 4 Killed, Others Injured in Lagos-Ibadan Accident

Mother of 4 Dies in Lagos-Ibwadan Tanker Blaze

“I was at work when my son called me about a fire incident in our community...”

Devastating tanker fire on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Mother of 4 dies, others hospitalized, community appeals for aid.

The devastating impact of the fire was palpable throughout the community, with nearby buildings bearing scars of the inferno. Shattered windows, damaged roofs, and cracked walls stood as testaments to the fire's fury.

Ismail Emmanuel, husband of the deceased victim, recounted the harrowing events surrounding his wife's tragic death. On Tuesday, he shared that the dense smoke from the fire obscured her view, hindering her escape. “She tried to flee, but unknowingly fell into a drainage ditch that was already engulfed in flames,” he said.

Emmanuel's narrative took a heartbreaking turn as he described the futile attempts to save his wife's life. Despite rushing her to the hospital, he was confronted with an insurmountable obstacle: a demand for an N6 million deposit, a sum he couldn't afford. This financial barrier proved insurmountable, crushing any hope of saving his beloved wife.

Emmanuel narrated, “I was at work when my son called me about a fire incident in our community. I asked him to check on those at home because he was not living with us. He told me that he couldn't see my wife when he got home. I asked him to look around and after some moment, he called me back that they were on the way to the hospital and that my wife had sustained injuries in the fire.

“We took her to a hospital in Sagamu where we were referred to Abeokuta and from Abeokuta, we were referred to Igbobi in Lagos. Upon getting to Igbobi, I was told to make a deposit of N6 million which I couldn't afford, and we moved her to the Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos where she gave up the ghost.”

Ismail Emmanuel appealed for government support for his family, struggling to cope with the loss of his wife. Her body has been taken to a private morgue in Ibafo.

Community resident Bidemi reported that another victim, a heroic mother who tried to rescue her children from the flames, remains hospitalized. The family's home was ravaged, with essential items like chairs and curtains destroyed, leaving them unable to return.

“Iya Ada was also affected by the fire. The fire caught her house and destroyed chairs, curtains and some other items. The fire burnt her while she was trying to rescue her children. She fell and the heat of the fire burnt her sideways and she has since been hospitalized,” Bidemi said.

Victims of the devastating fire incident on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway are calling for help from Governor Dapo Abiodun after losing vehicles worth millions of naira - their primary source of income and livelihood for their families.

In a heartfelt appeal, the victims shared that these vehicles were not just mere possessions, but the very means through which they put food on the table for their loved ones. The loss is not just financial, but also emotional, as it threatens their ability to provide for their families.

Governor Abiodun has responded with condolences, acknowledging the victims' pain and urging tanker drivers to exercise caution on the highway to prevent such tragedies in the future. This plea for caution serves as a reminder of the critical role that responsible driving plays in ensuring public safety.

However, this isn't the first time a fuel tanker incident has occurred on this expressway. A similar incident happened on May 25, 2024, at the Ibafo/Aseese axis, fortunately resulting in no loss of life.