A man identified as Ajibade Opeyemi has died after his tricycle was crushed by a petrol tanker in the Oke Ado area of Ibadan on Friday morning.

The incident, which occurred around 7:30 a.m., involved a tricycle with registration number NRK 125 QX and a tanker marked T 25925 LA that reportedly veered off its lane and skidded across the road.

Witnesses and fellow tricycle operators attributed the crash to a Toyota Venza driver, who was allegedly speeding on a two-lane road. The driver was said to have suddenly swerved to avoid hitting a garbage bin, forcing the tanker driver to lose control while attempting to brake.

The tanker reportedly crossed over and crushed the tricycle and its rider, who was said to have been parked by the roadside calling for passengers at the time of the accident.

Police officers from the Iyaganku Division responded to the scene and rushed the victim to a hospital along Ososami Road, where he was confirmed dead. His remains were later deposited at the mortuary of the State Hospital, Adeoyo, Ring Road.

The incident triggered outrage among tricycle riders in the area, who initially resisted efforts to move the tanker or transload its fuel, insisting on justice for their deceased colleague.

Eyewitnesses said the Toyota Venza driver fled the scene immediately after the crash. Attempts by motorcyclists to apprehend him were unsuccessful, as he reportedly escaped despite damaging his vehicle and hitting one of the pursuers.

Officials of the Oyo State Fire Service were deployed to the scene to prevent a possible explosion, spraying the tanker intermittently due to the risk posed by heat and fuel spillage. A towing vehicle from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) was also present.

Tensions remained high for several hours as police, led by the Divisional Police Officer, worked to calm aggrieved riders before they eventually allowed safety operations to proceed later in the afternoon.

The scene turned emotional when the deceased’s children arrived, crying and calling for their father, as sympathisers gathered to console them.

In protest, tricycle operators in the area temporarily halted operations, stopping colleagues from working as they mourned the loss and demanded accountability over the fatal crash.