By Chuks Eke
No fewer than two persons we’re feared dead, while one other sustained injury when a petrol tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS exploded along the Ihiala axis of the Onitsha-Owerri Road opposite the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC. Ihiala Unit in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The incident, according to eye witnesses, occurred on Sunday morning after the tanker collided with a car and rammed into a barricade, spilling its contents and igniting the fire.
According to the source, the tanker driver was moving at a high speed when it suddenly lost control and crashed into the barricade along the road.
One of the eyewitnesses said, “Immediately after the crash, the tanker exploded with a loud noise and immediately caught fire which affected a motorcycle that was coming behind.
“The tanker spilled its contents and then exploded. Two persons – the driver and his conductor were burnt instantly beyond recognition, while the motorcycle rider sustained varying degrees of injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
“The collision caused panic in the area due to the loud explosion. Fire immediately engulfed the tanker and spread rapidly to adjoining roads causing gridlock before the intervention of some government officials who arrived the scene and battled to control the fire.”
When contacted, the Anambra state command Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Margaret Onabe who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat with newsmen on Sunday, said the crash occurred at about 9:30am.
Onabe said the crash was between two vehicles – an unidentified driver of a commercial tanker with no registration number, and an unidentified driver of a motorcycle also without registration number.
She said, “A fatal road traffic crash was recorded today, February 8, 2026, at the opposite FRSC office in Ihiala, by the Ihiala-Onitsha road.
“The fatal crash was between two vehicles: an unidentified driver of a commercial tanker with no registration number, and an unidentified driver of a motorcycle with no registration number.
“The probable cause of the fatal road traffic crash was attributed to speed and loss of control.
“Three male adults were involved in the crash – two male adults died and one was rescued with injuries (bike driver) and was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Iihiala.”
She explained that the FRSC rescue team from RS5.34 contacted the fire service, the FRSC and fire service were on ground to combat the fire, adding that as at presd time, the fire has been totally put out.
“The Sector Commander Anambra State, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, commiserated with the bereaved family of the dead victims and admonished motorists to drive within the recommended speed limit to control it; be observant of their environment and always pay full concentration to driving. Drive to stay alive, safety is everyone’s business,” she added.
It would be recalled that a similar incident occurred in November 2025 when a petrol-laden tanker exploded at Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing one person and destroying no fewer than six shops.
