A petrol tanker belonging to BOVAS and Company Limited has spilled over 30,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, following what an eyewitness described as a preventable failure in emergency decision-making.
The incident occurred near New Town in Ado-Ekiti when the fully loaded 18-wheeler tanker reportedly lost balance after being parked on a waterlogged and unstable surface following heavy rainfall.
According to the eyewitness, who was among the first responders, the ground beneath the tanker’s passenger-side tyres gave way, causing the truck to tilt dangerously, with all tyres on the driver’s side lifted off the ground.
Efforts to salvage the situation initially involved another tanker attempting to pull the vehicle backward. However, the attempt worsened the condition as the soft, grassy terrain continued to collapse under the weight.
Recognising the risk, responders on ground reportedly recommended the use of a heavy-duty tow truck to stabilise and recover the tanker. The towing team assessed the situation and requested ₦180,000 for the operation.
However, approval delays from the company’s management hierarchy stalled the intervention, with directives instead issued to transfer the fuel into another tanker — a move the eyewitness described as “dangerous” given the tanker’s unstable condition.
Despite an alternative safety suggestion by the tow operators to secure the tanker with a winch during the transfer, the proposal was declined due to lack of authorisation.
Midway into the fuel transfer, the tanker eventually collapsed, spilling its contents into the surrounding grassland. The Ekiti State Fire Service was present at the scene, preventing any outbreak of fire.
One casualty was recorded, as the driver sustained a knee injury while monitoring the transfer from atop the tanker.
Ironically, following the spill, a more complex and costly recovery operation involving a crane had to be deployed — a scenario the eyewitness insisted could have been avoided if the earlier towing request had been approved.
The incident has sparked concerns over the emergency response structure of BOVAS and Company Limited, particularly for a firm operating a large fleet of petroleum transport vehicles across the country.
The eyewitness called on the company to review its crisis management system and empower field operators with clearer authority during emergencies, rather than relying on prolonged chains of approval.
No official statement has yet been issued by the company regarding the incident.
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