Firefighters responding to a tanker explosion in Sabo Market, Orile Igbon, Oyo State, were reportedly attacked by residents attempting to siphon fuel.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, January 28, after a 33,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker suffered a tyre burst, leading to a spill and fire outbreak along the Ogbomoso-Ilorin expressway. 
According to reports, officers of the Oyo State Fire Service had arrived at the scene before their Kwara State counterparts, given the proximity of the location.
However, their efforts were met with hostility from some individuals who wanted access to the spilled fuel.
The Head of Media and Publicity for the Kwara State Fire Service, Hassan Adekunle, confirmed the attack, emphasizing the dangers emergency responders face in such situations.
“On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 20:27 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service responded swiftly to a distress call reporting a tanker spill at Sabo Market, Orile Igbon, along the Ogbomoso Expressway in Oyo State,” he stated.
He further revealed that over 10,000 litres of PMS were successfully siphoned into another tanker to reduce hazards.
Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, but the situation escalated due to the aggressive actions of some residents.
Meanwhile, investigations confirmed that the accident was caused by a tyre burst.
Moreover, Adekunle condemned the violence against the firefighters, disclosing that Oyo State fire officers were attacked with stones, resulting in severe damage to their fire truck, including a shattered windscreen.
“However, it is deeply concerning that their personnel were violently attacked with stones, leading to severe damage to their fire truck, including a shattered windscreen. In the face of this hostility, they were forced to seek refuge at Owode Police Station,” he lamented.
The statement also highlighted the importance of protecting emergency responders, as any obstruction could worsen the crisis.
The Director of the Kwara State Fire Service also called for urgent action to prevent such incidents in the future.
He warned that anyone found guilty of attacking firefighters would face legal consequences.
“Any individual found guilty of assaulting fire service personnel will face the full weight of the law. Firefighters risk their lives to protect people and property, and any act of violence against them is unacceptable,” he stated.
Therefore, authorities have been urged to take strict measures to prevent a recurrence, ensuring that emergency responders can safely perform their duties without fear of attack.
