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At least two people have been confirmed dead following the explosion of a fully loaded 33,000-litre petrol tanker along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos in the early hours of Christmas Day.
The incident occurred at about 4 a.m. on Thursday at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education. According to reports, the tanker lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle, crashed, and burst into flames.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said preliminary investigations indicated that excessive speed played a major role. The agency explained that the driver lost control during the overtaking manoeuvre, leading to the crash and subsequent explosion.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed that the tanker driver and an adult female occupant were trapped in the fire and died at the scene.
He said LASTMA officials on duty immediately secured the area to prevent secondary accidents and contacted emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ijanikin Police Division.
The agency also confirmed that officers prevented members of the public from attempting to scoop fuel from the scene, warning that such actions posed serious safety risks.
After the fire was successfully contained, the burnt tanker was evacuated, while the remains of the deceased were recovered by the FRSC.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the tragedy as preventable and extended condolences to the families of the victims. He urged tanker drivers to adhere strictly to speed limits and traffic regulations, while cautioning residents against approaching accident scenes involving fuel spills.
Several houses and vehicles were reportedly damaged by the fire, triggering panic among residents in the area. Firefighters from the Ojo and Badagry fire stations worked together to bring the blaze under control.
The Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, also attributed the incident to negligence, confirming that one adult male died at the scene, while an adult female sustained severe burns.
The explosion occurred less than 24 hours after another fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House in Balogun Market, Lagos, raising fresh concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness in the state.
