Traders have been left devastated following a fuel tanker explosion near the Ibadan Toll Gate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
NPO reports that the incident which occurred on Saturday at about 2:45pm destroyed several shops, vehicles, and motorcycles, leaving many locals counting immense losses.
It was gathered that one of the affected shops was loaded with computer sets worth millions of naira, and some of the cars and motorcycles that were packed along the road were razed by fire.
NPO Reports learnt that the driver of the truck and his assistant narrowly escaped death.
The incident occurred very close to Lead City University, which also sent confusion and panic across students on campus particularly as it sent thick black smoke rippling into the sky.
One of the affected shop owners said, “I just heard a bang from outside. Initially, I mistook it for a gunshot.
“Before I realised what was happening, the atmosphere had been enveloped with thick smoke.
“Calls were put through to the Fire Services. But before they arrived, the deed had been done. I have lost everything to the inferno. I don’t know where to start again.”
A student of Lead City University who also pleaded anonymity gave her count of the incident saying:
“I was so scared. This minute I’m on my own and next thing I’m hearing is, “Fire! Everybody come outside.
“I ran for my life.
“The smoke was so thick and disturbing. I had to stay a bit farther away from the direction of the smoke because we never can tell what could happen next.”
