Kwara firefighters averts disaster as 45,000-litre petrol tanker spills fuel in Ilorin

‎‎By Ahmed Olayinka
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‎The Kwara State Fire Service has averted a major fire disaster following a massive Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) spill from a 45,000-litre tanker at Conoil Filling Station, Maritala Mohammed Road, along Old Jebba Road, Maraba Area, Ilorin, THE PRIME NEWS reports.
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‎The incident occurred at about 5:08 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026. Although no fire was recorded, the large quantity of spilled petrol posed a serious risk of ignition and possible loss of lives and property.
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‎According to information gathered at the scene, the tanker had transported PMS from Lagos to Ilorin and was scheduled to discharge one compartment of its three-compartment tank at the filling station.
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‎However, after the filling station management conducted measurements, a discrepancy was reportedly discovered between the expected and measured quantity of PMS.
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‎In an attempt to retrieve some of the product from the tanker, the valve was opened but became uncontrollable, causing petrol to gush out and spread across the filling station.
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‎The spilled PMS subsequently flowed towards Post Office Road and Amilengbe Road, creating panic and posing a significant danger to motorists, residents, businesses and nearby petroleum facilities.
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‎Responding swiftly to the emergency, firefighters immediately deployed chemical foam to cover the affected areas, including the filling station, Post Office Road and Amilengbe Road. The preventive operation helped suppress the risk of ignition and prevented the spill from escalating into a major fire incident.
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‎The Chief Fire Officer, CFO Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their courage, professionalism and prompt response, noting that their timely intervention was crucial in averting what could have been a catastrophic incident.
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‎He also appreciated the Nigeria Police Force and the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) for supporting the operation by controlling vehicular movement around Agric Road, Amilengbe and Post Office Road.
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‎The CFO urged filling station operators and petroleum tanker owners to exercise extreme caution when loading, transporting and discharging petroleum products.
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‎He stressed the need for proper inspection of valves, hoses and other discharge equipment before any transfer operation, noting that equipment failure during fuel discharge could have devastating consequences.
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‎CFO Alabi also advised members of the public to keep away from petroleum product spillages and immediately alert emergency responders whenever such incidents occur.
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‎He warned that spilled PMS can ignite rapidly even when there are no visible flames, urging residents and motorists to avoid any activity capable of generating sparks or fire around affected areas.
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‎The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state through prompt emergency response and preventive firefighting operations.