Two die in Lagos Christmas Day tanker explosion

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that two persons lost their lives in an explosion of a petroleum tanker at the Oto-Ijanikin axis of the Badagry Expressway of the state in the early morning of Thursday.

LASTMA, in a statement by its General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the accident which involved a Mack Truck fully loaded with diesel occurred in the early hours of Thursday.

In the statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department on behalf of Bakare-Oki, LASTMA attributed the accident to excessive speeding by the truck driver who was trying to overtake another driver on the road.

It also identified the casualties of the fatal crash as the driver and a yet-to-be identified woman who was his passenger.

LASTAM added that its operatives swiftly responded to the incident and cordoned off the affected stretch of the expressway to forestall secondary incidents.

It added that the operatives immediately notified the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ijanikin Police Division for urgent emergency response and security reinforcement.

LASTMA said the urgent response prevented members of the public who had converged on the scene with assorted containers from scooping the spilled diesel and thus, averted the triggering further explosions and avoidable fatalities. .

“Preliminary findings from security investigations indicate that the unfortunate incident was precipitated by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user. The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, tragically trapping and claiming the lives of the driver and an adult female occupant.

“LASTMA personnel who were actively monitoring and managing vehicular movement within the corridor responded with remarkable alacrity and professionalism. Upon arrival, the officers swiftly secured and cordoned off the affected stretch of the expressway to forestall secondary incidents, while immediately notifying the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ijanikin Police Division for urgent emergency response and security reinforcement.

‘In a further demonstration of vigilance and unwavering commitment to public safety, LASTMA operatives prevented members of the public who had converged on the scene with assorted containers from scooping the spilled diesel an extremely hazardous act capable of triggering further explosions and avoidable fatalities. This timely intervention effectively averted a potential escalation of the tragedy prior to the arrival of other emergencies and security agencies.

The agency added that the severely burnt tanker was evacuated from the expressway by LASTMA personnel to prevent further road mishaps along the busy transport corridor while remains of burnt bodies were removed by FRSC operatives after successful containment of the blaze,

“The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, particularly poignant during this festive season.

“He described the incident as deeply painful and entirely avoidable, reaffirming the Authority’s steadfast commitment to road safety and the sanctity of human life.

“Bakare-Oki further underscored the urgent necessity for tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise heightened caution, observe prescribed speed limits and comply strictly with all traffic regulations, noting that reckless driving and over speeding remain dominant factors in fatal road traffic crashes across the metropolis.

“He also seized the opportunity to caution members of the public against the dangerous and irresponsible practice of scooping petroleum/Diesel products from accident scenes, emphasizing that such conduct poses grave and far-reaching risks to both individuals and the general public,” the agency said.