While some of the deceased were reported to have been scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, others were said to be passengers in a commercial bus and two Hilux vans. The fire took them unawares.
According to Punch, four other persons were injured in the inferno, including an official of the Ogun State Fire Service, identified as Ayodele Adetayo.
The injured victims have been transferred to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.
It was gathered that at about 3pm on Monday, a fuel tanker belonging to Total Nigeria Plc, had fallen while trying to avoid crashing into a herd of cows that had strayed onto the expressway.
Four of the cows were reportedly killed just as some fuel spilled onto the road and into gutter.
Sources said the herdsmen immediately fled the scene after residents attempted to mob them.
Policemen from the Redemption Camp division were said to have removed the dead cows, and contacted Total to send another truck for fuel transfer.
A new truck arrived at the area around 11pm on Monday and was able to load the fuel from the fallen tanker with the help of the Ogun State Fire Service officials.
After the evacuation, the fallen tanker was towed away, while the new tanker also left with the product. But some residents came out and started scooping the fuel spilled into the gutter.
At about 1am, a Sports Utility Vehicle, which had a burst tyre, drove on its rim, which ignited the fire that also engulfed it. The fire became serious. It engulfed an 18-seater bus driving behind it, two Hilux vans, a Dangote truck and a fire service truck, which was rounding off operation.
Sadly, some occupants of the vehicles were trapped and the fire burnt them beyond recognition.
An eyewitness, who gave her name only as Sunmibare, said the fire service men were rolling their hose back into the truck, when the fire started. They tried their best but many died from the fire.
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