A festive Christmas morning in Lagos turned tragic as a diesel-laden tanker exploded, claiming two lives. The incident occurred along the busy Badagry Expressway, casting a pall over the celebrations.
Excessive Speed Blamed for Fatal Crash
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the fatal explosion involved a Mack Truck carrying diesel. It happened in the early hours of December 25, 2025, at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), on the route inward Agbara.
Preliminary security investigations point to excessive speed as the primary cause. The tanker driver reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle. The truck subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging inferno, tragically trapping and killing both the driver and an adult female occupant.
Emergency Response and Public Intervention
LASTMA personnel monitoring the corridor swiftly secured and cordoned off the affected stretch of the expressway. This immediate action was to prevent secondary incidents. They also notified the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (Ojo Unit), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ijanikin Police Division for urgent reinforcement.
A critical intervention by LASTMA operatives prevented a potential escalation of the tragedy. They stopped members of the public who had converged on the scene with containers from scooping the spilt diesel. This dangerous practice was halted before other emergency agencies arrived.
Aftermath and Official Condolences
After the blaze was contained and the scene cleared by authorities, the severely burnt tanker was evacuated by LASTMA to prevent further accidents on the busy corridor. The FRSC took charge of removing the remains of the deceased.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound sorrow and extended condolences to the families of the victims, noting the particular pain of such a loss during the festive season. He described the incident as deeply painful and entirely avoidable.
Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to road safety and issued a stern warning. He urged tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise heightened caution, observe speed limits, and strictly comply with traffic regulations. He emphasised that reckless driving and speeding remain dominant factors in fatal crashes across Lagos.
The GM also cautioned the public against the dangerous practice of scooping petroleum products from accident scenes, highlighting the grave risks it poses to individuals and the community at large.
