25 Dies, 15 Injured As Bus Collides With Petrol Tanker In Kwara

Ilorin, Kwara State – No fewer than Twenty-five people have reportedly lost their lives while about 15 others sustained varying degrees of injury in a fire disaster at Bode Saadu in the Moro local government area of Kwara State.

The incident happened about 3:18 pm when the ill-fated vehicles, a petrol tanker with registration number JJN 17 XW, a robust heavy-duty truck, and an 18-seater bus, collided at Peke village along Oko-Olowo, Bode Saadu expressway.

Hakeem Adekunle, the spokesman of Kwara State Fire Service, confirmed the incident, in a statement issued on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

He said that the petrol tanker, travelling from Niger State, was using the wrong side of the road, resulting in a head-on collision with a heavy-duty truck from Lagos State.

He said: “The collision ignited a fire that rapidly consumed both vehicles, also affecting the 18-seater bus from Lagos.

“On November 28, 2023, around 15:18 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire at Peke village along Oko-Olowo – Bode Saadu expressway in Moro Local government area of Kwara State.

“The incident involved a petrol tanker with registration number JJN 17 XW, a heavy-duty truck, and an 18-seater bus.

“Investigations revealed that the petrol tanker, travelling from Niger state, was using the wrong side of the road, resulting in a head-on collision with a heavy-duty truck from Lagos state. The collision ignited a fire that rapidly consumed both vehicles, also affecting the 18-seater bus from Lagos.

“Expressing deep sorrow, the Director of the Kwara State Fire Service emphasized the need for road users to prioritize safe driving practices, issuing a warning to adhere to safety measures consistently.”