accident involving a fully loaded HOWO diesel tanker along the Cele Bridge axis of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the crash occurred when the tanker, bearing registration number RBC 38 XF, rammed into the motorcycle while both vehicles were in motion. The impact reportedly trapped the rider beneath the tanker, leading to his death at the scene.
LASTMA officials stationed nearby responded swiftly, moving in to secure the accident scene. The agency cordoned off the affected area using safety cones and warning tapes to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of other road users along the busy expressway.
The tanker involved in the crash was subsequently impounded by LASTMA. However, the driver fled the scene immediately after realizing the severity of the accident, raising concerns about accountability and road safety compliance.
Police officers from the Ijesha Division later arrived to take over the situation, maintain order, and commence investigations in line with standard procedures. The body of the deceased rider, along with the impounded tanker and the damaged motorcycle, was handed over to the police for further action.
According to the statement, the remains of the victim were carefully recovered from beneath the tanker and transported to a morgue in Yaba. “The remains of the deceased, after being professionally secured from underneath the tanker, were thereafter conveyed by the Police to a morgue in Yaba,” the agency stated.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sympathy with the family of the deceased, describing the incident as both tragic and distressing. He called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and the conduct of heavy-duty vehicle drivers on major highways in Lagos, particularly along high-traffic corridors such as the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway. Authorities are expected to intensify enforcement measures to prevent similar occurrences.
