A petrol-laden tanker exploded along the Ihiala axis of the Onitsha–Owerri Road in Anambra State on Sunday, killing two persons and injuring one other.
The explosion occurred at about 9:30 a.m. opposite the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ihiala, following a collision involving the tanker, a car and a barricade, which led to the spillage of fuel and a subsequent inferno.
Eyewitnesses said the tanker, which was travelling at high speed, lost control, rammed into the barricade and burst into flames moments after the crash. A motorcycle coming behind the tanker was also affected by the explosion.
According to one of the witnesses, the tanker exploded immediately after the collision, killing the driver and his conductor, who were burnt to death on the spot, while the motorcyclist sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The explosion caused panic in the area, as the fire spread to adjoining roads, resulting in heavy traffic congestion before emergency responders arrived at the scene to contain the situation.
Confirming the incident, the Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC in Anambra State, Margaret Onabe, said the crash involved a commercial tanker and a motorcycle, both without registration numbers.
She said, “A fatal road traffic crash was recorded today, 8th February 2026, opposite the FRSC office in Ihiala on the Ihiala–Onitsha road. The probable cause of the crash was speed and loss of control.
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“Three male adults were involved in the crash; two persons died while one was rescued with injuries and taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala.”
Onabe added that the FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 contacted the fire service, and both agencies worked together to completely extinguish the fire.
She commiserated with the families of the victims and advised motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits and remain vigilant on the roads, stressing that road safety is a collective responsibility.
A similar incident was recorded in November 2025, when a petrol tanker exploded in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing one person and destroying several shops.