Two people died early Thursday after a diesel tanker exploded along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed.
The crash occurred at the Oto-Ijanikin axis near Lagos State University of Education. Reports indicate the tanker lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle, leading to a fiery explosion.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, said preliminary investigations point to speeding as the cause. “Preliminary findings from security investigations indicate that the unfortunate incident was precipitated by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another road user,” he said. “The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, tragically claiming the lives of the driver and an adult female passenger.”
Taofiq noted that LASTMA officers on duty responded quickly to manage traffic and prevent further accidents. Emergency services, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Ijanikin Police Division, were alerted.
Officials also prevented bystanders from collecting spilled diesel at the scene, warning that such actions could trigger additional explosions. After the fire was extinguished, the burnt tanker was removed, and the victims’ bodies were evacuated by the FRSC.
LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki described the incident as “deeply painful and entirely avoidable,” offering condolences to the families of the deceased. He urged tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to observe speed limits and traffic regulations, while cautioning the public against collecting petroleum from accident sites.
“The Authority remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety and the sanctity of human life,” Bakare-Oki said.
