The Kwara State Fire Service on Saturday averted a major disaster after a petrol tanker conveying 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit caught fire at a filling station along the Ilorin–Jebba Expressway.
The incident occurred at Olumo Filling Station, Oko-Olowo Junction, Ilorin, at about 2:31 pm.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Head of the Media Unit of the Kwara State Fire Service, PFO Hassan Hakeem Adekunle, the service said its operatives responded swiftly after receiving a distress call.
According to the statement, the tanker had just arrived at the filling station from Lagos when the fire broke out and escalated rapidly before firefighters were contacted.
”On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at about 14:31 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded to a fire incident at Olumo Filling Station, Oko-Olowo Junction, Ilorin.
“The incident involved a petrol tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit. The tanker had just arrived at the filling station when fire erupted and spread rapidly before the Fire Service was alerted,” the statement partly read.
It added that firefighters arrived promptly and worked with professionalism to contain the inferno, preventing it from spreading to the filling station and nearby buildings.
”The petrol tanker was affected, but further escalation into the filling station infrastructure was successfully averted through the gallant efforts of the firefighters,” the statement added.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service, CFS Alabi Muhammed, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism, describing their action as crucial in preventing what could have resulted in massive loss of lives and property.
Kwara Fire Service Prevents Petrol Tanker Disaster
Faisal Salisu Dambatta
Faisal Salisu Dambatta is a Nigerian journalist, editor, and digital publisher recognized for his dedication to factual reporting and public-interest storytelling. He has built a reputation...
Faisal Salisu Dambatta is a Nigerian journalist, editor, and digital publisher recognized for his dedication to factual reporting and public-interest storytelling. He has built a reputation for blending traditional journalistic integrity with modern, data-driven news analysis.
Over the years, Faisal has covered national and regional developments across politics, governance, technology, and socio-economic affairs. His writing emphasizes accuracy, accountability, and the preservation of journalistic ethics in the digital age.
He currently serves as a lead editor at Etimes247 Newspaper, where he oversees editorial direction, audience engagement, and the integration of SEO-optimized content strategies. Faisal believes in using media as a force for civic awareness and constructive public dialogue.
When he’s not editing stories, he contributes to journalism training, digital literacy advocacy, and research on the evolution of online news consumption in Africa.
Areas of Expertise: Investigative reporting | Digital publishing | Media strategy | SEO | Audience development
Leave a Comment
