A 38-year-old tanker driver from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Alagbe Hezekiah, has been hailed for his extraordinary bravery after risking his life to prevent a burning fuel tanker from causing a major disaster at Feesu Junction, along the Iwo-Ibadan Expressway in Iwo, Osun State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 17, 2026, opposite Lado Filling Station, where Hezekiah had gone to deliver diesel. The tanker had been connected to the filling station’s offloading system when fire suddenly erupted from the truck. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
According to Hezekiah, he and his motor boy initially attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher, but the intensity of the flames quickly overwhelmed their efforts. As the fire spread towards the filling station, nearby shops and residential buildings, his apprentice reportedly fled the scene in panic.
Faced with the possibility of a devastating explosion and widespread loss of lives and property, Hezekiah decided to take the greatest risk of his life. Rather than flee the scene, he climbed into the burning tanker and drove it away from the filling station, fuel pumps, businesses and residential areas.
“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 recounted.
Hezekiah said he was fully aware that the decision could cost him his life, but he considered the potential consequences of allowing the burning tanker to remain within the densely populated area.
“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,” he said.
He subsequently drove the flaming tanker along the road, with fire engulfing the rear section, until he reached a relatively safe and uninhabited riverbank. He then detached the truck’s head from the burning tank, preventing the flames from spreading further into the populated area.
Eyewitnesses around Odo-Ori Market reportedly said Hezekiah’s swift intervention helped avert what could have been a major disaster at Feesu Junction, an area surrounded by filling stations, businesses and residential buildings. No death was recorded in the incident.
Hezekiah, who has been driving tankers since 2004 and has more than 22 years of experience behind the wheel, said he had never encountered a situation of such magnitude throughout his career.
Following the incident, he has been widely commended for what many described as an exceptional display of courage, selflessness and professionalism. His action has also drawn attention to the risks routinely faced by tanker drivers and the importance of prioritising public safety during emergencies.
Hezekiah used the opportunity to appeal to the governments of Oyo and Osun states to urgently address the deplorable condition of roads in the states. He also urged fellow tanker drivers to always prioritise safety and human life while carrying out their duties.
The incident has placed Alagbe Hezekiah, an indigene of Ogbomoso, in the spotlight for choosing to risk his own life to protect others. His decision at a critical moment helped prevent a potentially devastating fire disaster and underscored the impact of courage and selflessness in saving lives and property.
God bless Alagbe Hezekiah, the Ogbomoso-born tanker driver whose bravery helped save Iwo from a potentially catastrophic tragedy.
