The Kwara State Fire Service has prevented a potentially disastrous fire incident after a tanker carrying about 45,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) spilled a large quantity of petrol at a filling station in Ilorin.

The incident occurred on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at about 5:08pm at Conoil Filling Station on Maritala Mohammed Road, along Old Jebba Road, Maraba area of Ilorin.

Although the spill did not result in a fire outbreak, the large volume of highly flammable petrol created a serious risk of ignition and a possible major disaster.

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.

After the station management took measurements, a discrepancy was reportedly discovered between the expected and measured quantity of petrol.

In an attempt to retrieve some of the product from the tanker, the valve was opened but the PMS began gushing out uncontrollably, leaving the valve operators unable to stop the flow.

The spilled petrol spread across the filling station and began flowing towards Post Office Road and Amilengbe Road, raising concerns among motorists, residents and businesses in the area.

Responding to the emergency, firefighters immediately deployed chemical foam compound across the affected areas, including the filling station, Post Office Road and Amilengbe Road.

The intervention helped to reduce the risk of ignition and prevented the spill from escalating into a major fire disaster.

The Chief Fire Officer, Alabi Muhammed, commended the firefighters for their prompt response, professionalism and courage.

He said their timely intervention was critical to preventing what could have been a catastrophic incident.

The Chief Fire Officer also commended the Nigeria Police Force and the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) for supporting the operation.

Their personnel controlled vehicular movement around Agric Road, Amilengbe and Post Office Road, keeping motorists away from the affected area and providing firefighters with a safer environment to carry out the operation.

Alabi urged filling station operators and petroleum tanker owners to exercise extreme caution during the loading, transportation and discharge of petroleum products.

He stressed the need for valves, hoses and other discharge equipment to be properly inspected and confirmed to be in good working condition before any transfer operation begins.

The Chief Fire Officer also advised members of the public to stay away from petroleum product spillages and immediately contact emergency responders whenever such incidents occur.

He warned that spilled PMS could ignite rapidly even when there were no visible flames, potentially resulting in devastating consequences.

The Kwara State Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, property and critical infrastructure across the state.