The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a fatal tanker explosion involving a Mack truck conveying diesel at the Oto-Ijanikin axis of the Badagry Expressway, near the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), inward Agbara.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, claiming the lives of the tanker driver and an adult female occupant.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo.
According to Adebayo, preliminary findings from security investigations revealed that the incident was caused by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user.
“The tanker crashed in the process and immediately burst into flames, resulting in a raging inferno that trapped and claimed the lives of the driver and an adult female passenger,” he said.
Adebayo stated that LASTMA personnel who were actively managing traffic within the corridor responded promptly to the incident, displaying professionalism and swift coordination.
“Upon arrival, our officers immediately secured and cordoned off the affected stretch of the expressway to prevent secondary crashes, while alerting the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ojo Unit, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ijanikin Police Division for urgent emergency response,” he said.
He further disclosed that LASTMA operatives prevented a potentially more catastrophic outcome by stopping members of the public who had converged on the scene from scooping the spilled diesel.
“Our officers firmly restrained individuals who attempted to scoop the diesel with various containers, an extremely dangerous act capable of triggering further explosions and avoidable loss of lives,” Adebayo warned.
He noted that the timely intervention helped avert an escalation of the tragedy before the arrival of other emergency and security agencies.
Following the successful containment of the fire and clearance by relevant authorities, Adebayo said the severely burnt tanker was evacuated from the expressway by LASTMA officials to prevent further road mishaps, while the remains of the burnt victims were recovered by the FRSC.
Quoting the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Adebayo said the Authority expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Bakare-Oki described the incident as deeply painful and entirely avoidable, especially at this festive period, while reaffirming LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to road safety and the protection of human lives,” Adebayo stated.
The LASTMA boss also cautioned tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to strictly adhere to speed limits and traffic regulations, stressing that over-speeding and reckless driving remain leading causes of fatal road crashes across Lagos.
Adebayo added that the General Manager further warned members of the public against the hazardous practice of scooping petroleum or diesel products from accident scenes, noting that such actions pose grave risks to both individuals and the wider public.
