A fatal auto crash along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Oko-Olowo, Kwara State, has left many people burnt beyond recognition, causing a severe traffic disruption.
According to reports, the accident occurred at about 8:30 am on Friday, February 28, 2025, when a trailer carrying fertilizer attempted to overtake a petrol-laden truck, leading to a collision that triggered a massive inferno.
Unconfirmed sources estimate that no fewer than 60 people lost their lives in the incident. The victims were reportedly traveling from the northern part of the country.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as horrific, with bodies burnt beyond recognition and vehicles engulfed in flames for over two hours.
One of the witnesses, Sheu Arobadi, said passengers atop the trailer scrambled for safety as the fire spread rapidly. Some reportedly jumped from the burning vehicles, sustaining fractures and injuries.
“A father had to throw his child out of the fire before jumping down himself,” he recounted.
The Kwara State Fire Service arrived at the scene around 10:30 am, by which time significant damage had already been done. The fire caused a standstill on both sides of the expressway, halting vehicular movement for hours.
Residents lamented the frequent accidents along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway, which they claim occur almost weekly, often resulting in heavy casualties.
They urged the government to consider constructing an overhead bridge or implementing other safety measures to reduce crashes on the busy highway.