TANKER EXPLOSION SPARKS CHAOS ON APAPA–OSHODI EXPRESSWAY, NO LIVES LOST

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Iyana-Isolo area of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway in Lagos was thrown into panic on Sunday after a fully loaded diesel tanker overturned and burst into flames, colliding with vehicles and setting parts of the busy highway ablaze.

Eyewitnesses said the tanker, which developed a fault, lost its brakes while attempting to park, ramming into a commercial bus before toppling into a roadside gutter and exploding. The resulting inferno engulfed the tanker, a container-laden truck, and a flatbed trailer, forcing commuters and passersby to scamper for safety.

An amateur footage showed the tanker driver lying motionless with injuries, while a co-passenger also sustained wounds. Both were rushed to hospital for treatment.

Truck driver Oladiran Olanrewaju, who witnessed the crash, said the tanker driver appeared to have lost control while trying to avoid a danfo bus that crossed its path.

“The tanker was fully loaded, and in trying to avoid killing many people, the driver lost control and the vehicle eventually fell over. It took about 45 minutes before the fire service arrived,” he recounted.

The Lagos State Fire Service, LASEMA, police officers, and officials of Ikeja Electric were swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the fire, cordon off the area, and divert traffic. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, warning motorists to avoid the route until the inferno was fully extinguished.

Vice Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Tunbosun Haruna, who visited the scene, commended the quick intervention of emergency agencies and confirmed that no lives were lost.

“We immediately contacted LASEMA and the Response Unit, and they managed the traffic situation. LASTMA has also reopened the road after the gridlock extended to Ijesha,” Haruna said.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of fuel tankers and emergency response times on Lagos highways.