Ijebu-Ode Expressway Crash: 18 Burned Beyond Recognition

In a devastating accident on the Ijebu-Ode/Ore Expressway, 18 passengers lost their lives in a fire that engulfed their vehicle. The incident occurred in the Ogbere area of Ijebu East Local Government, Ogun State.

The collision involved a Toyota Hiace with the registration number XA 690AKU. The severity of the blaze resulted in the passengers being burnt beyond recognition, while one individual sustained injuries.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, confirmed the tragic event in a statement issued from Abeokuta, the state capital. According to Akinbiyi, the accident was caused by a fire originating from petroleum motor spirit stored in a jerry can inside the bus.

Eyewitnesses and the driver reported that the bus, which had a jerry can of petroleum motor spirit, overturned after encountering a damaged section of the road. The spilt fuel ignited upon contact with the vehicle’s exhaust pipe, leading to the catastrophic fire.

The injured driver was transported to Rona Hospital in Ijebu Ode, while the deceased were taken to the State Hospital Mortuary in Ijebu Ode.

The agency has urged drivers to avoid storing fuel in jerry cans to prevent similar incidents in the future. They have extended their condolences to the families of the victims.