LAGOS – A catastrophic diesel tanker explosion on the Lagos–Badagry Expressway claimed two lives early on Thursday morning, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The incident occurred at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, in the vicinity of the Lagos State University of Education. Authorities believe the disaster was triggered when the tanker driver lost control of the vehicle during a high-speed overtaking manoeuvre.
A Fatal Inferno
According to a statement released by LASTMA via its official social media channels, preliminary findings suggest that excessive speed played a significant role in the crash.
“The tanker driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle,” the agency confirmed. “The resulting crash caused the vehicle to erupt into a fierce inferno, tragically trapping and killing both the driver and an adult female passenger.”
The explosion is the latest in a worrying trend of tanker-related disasters in the state. Only months ago, a similar petrol tanker explosion on the Otedola Bridge resulted in a fatality and multiple injuries, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with transporting flammable materials by road.
Emergency Response and Crowd Control
LASTMA personnel, who were already on patrol along the busy corridor, arrived at the scene almost immediately. Officers cordoned off the section of the motorway to prevent a “pile-up” and secondary accidents.
