A fatal diesel tanker explosion occurs early today along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, leaving two people dead and prompting swift emergency action by traffic and safety agencies.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirms that the incident happens at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education, inward Agbara. According to Mediaplusng.com, preliminary findings show that the tanker, a Mack truck conveying diesel, loses control while attempting to overtake at high speed, crashes, and bursts into flames. The inferno claims the lives of the driver and an adult female passenger trapped inside the vehicle.
LASTMA officials on routine traffic monitoring respond immediately to the scene. They cordon off the affected section of the expressway to prevent further accidents and alert emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Police. Firefighters work to contain the blaze, while security agencies secure the area.
In a critical safety intervention, LASTMA operatives stop members of the public who converge on the scene from scooping spilled diesel, an act known to cause secondary explosions and mass casualties. Mediaplusng.com reports that this prompt action helps avert a potentially worse disaster before the arrival of full emergency support.
After the fire is fully extinguished, authorities evacuate the burnt tanker from the roadway to restore traffic flow and reduce risks to other road users. FRSC officials also remove the remains of the victims as investigations into the exact cause of the crash continue.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expresses deep sadness and extends condolences to the families of the deceased. He describes the crash as painful and avoidable, especially during the festive season, and reiterates the agency’s commitment to protecting lives on Lagos roads.
Bakare-Oki urges tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to obey speed limits, avoid reckless overtaking, and comply fully with traffic regulations. He notes that speeding and dangerous driving remain leading causes of fatal road crashes across the state.
He also warns the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, stressing that petroleum products are highly flammable and pose serious risks to lives, property, and the environment. Authorities say enforcement and public sensitisation will continue to prevent similar tragedies on major highways across Lagos.
