A 38-year-old tanker driver, Alagbe Hezekiah, has been hailed for his bravery after risking his life to prevent a burning diesel tanker from causing a major disaster at a filling station in Iwo, Osun State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Feesu Junction along the Iwo-Ibadan Expressway, opposite Lado Filling Station, when the tanker suddenly caught fire while its diesel content was being discharged.
Hezekiah, a native of Ogbomoso, had reportedly arrived at the filling station to supply diesel when the hose had already been connected to the tanker for the offloading operation.
However, the situation changed dramatically when fire suddenly erupted from the tanker. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Driver Battles Fire
According to Hezekiah, he and his motor boy initially attempted to extinguish the flames using a fire extinguisher.
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The effort, however, proved unsuccessful as the fire rapidly intensified and began spreading towards the filling station, nearby shops and residential buildings.
As the situation worsened, his apprentice reportedly fled the scene in panic.
Faced with the possibility of a major explosion and mass casualties, Hezekiah made a decision that potentially saved several lives.
Rather than abandoning the vehicle, he climbed into the burning tanker and drove it away from the filling station and the densely populated area.
‘I Thought of How to Save Lives’
Recounting the incident, Hezekiah said his immediate concern was to prevent the burning tanker from causing casualties or destroying properties.
“I thought of what I can do to avert putting lives of many and properties at risk. I drove the vehicle out of the petrol station.
“I scanned the area for where there are no people living. I decided to drive to a riverbank where there will be no casualties.”
He said he was fully aware that the decision could cost him his life but chose to take the risk rather than allow the fire to remain close to the filling station and surrounding buildings.
“I took the bold step with the conviction that I may survive or be consumed and die with the incident.
“However, sacrificing my life to save properties and other people’s lives would be better than risking others with the incident.”
Tanker Driven to Isolated Area
With flames engulfing the rear section of the tanker, Hezekiah drove the burning vehicle away from the populated area and towards a riverbank where there were no nearby residents.
After reaching the relatively isolated location, he detached the truck’s head from the burning tanker.
His actions prevented the burning vehicle from remaining near the filling station, fuel pumps, shops and residential buildings, where an explosion could potentially have resulted in widespread casualties and property damage.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by tanker drivers and other workers involved in the transportation and handling of petroleum products, particularly when emergencies occur during fuel-loading or offloading operations.
Hezekiah’s decision to move the burning tanker away from the populated area has also sparked commendation, with his actions being described as an extraordinary display of courage and self-sacrifice.