Two persons were confirmed dead in the early hours of Christmas Day following a fatal diesel tanker explosion along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos, authorities have said.
The incident, which occurred at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) inward Agbara, involved a Mack Truck conveying diesel, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the explosion was triggered by excessive speed, as the tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user.
The tanker subsequently crashed and burst into flames, resulting in a massive inferno that engulfed the vehicle.
LASTMA officials confirmed that the driver and an adult female occupant were trapped inside the burning truck and died at the scene before rescue efforts could reach them.
In a statement, LASTMA said its operatives, who were already monitoring vehicular movement along the corridor, immediately secured and cordoned off the affected section of the expressway to prevent further accidents. The authority also alerted the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ijanikin Police Division for urgent intervention and security reinforcement.
The agency disclosed that its personnel also prevented members of the public who had rushed to the scene with containers from scooping the spilt diesel, a practice that has previously resulted in secondary explosions and mass casualties.
“This timely intervention effectively averted a potential escalation of the tragedy before the arrival of other emergency and security agencies,” LASTMA said.
Following the successful containment of the fire, emergency responders evacuated the severely burnt tanker from the expressway to restore traffic flow and prevent additional road mishaps along the busy transport corridor. The FRSC also recovered and removed the remains of the burnt bodies from the scene.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the crash as painful and entirely avoidable, especially during the festive season.
He extended condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to road safety and the protection of human lives.
Bakare-Oki further urged tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise greater caution, strictly observe speed limits and comply with traffic regulations, noting that reckless driving and speeding remain major causes of fatal road crashes in Lagos.
He also warned members of the public against the dangerous habit of scooping fuel from accident scenes, stressing that such actions pose grave risks and often lead to preventable loss of lives.
Authorities said investigations into the incident were ongoing.