TWO KILLED, EIGHT INJURED AS COMMERCIAL BUS BURSTS INTO FLAMES IN LAGOS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
A fatal road accident involving a commercial minibus has claimed the lives of two persons and left eight others injured along the Okota–Mile 2 corridor of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday along the Ballet inward route to Mile 2 in the Okota area of Isolo and involved a mini yellow commercial bus, popularly known as Faka, with registration number SMK 823 YK.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Adebayo Taofiq, said the crash was triggered by an unidentified private vehicle that reversed on the main carriageway.
“Preliminary security findings revealed that the unfortunate incident was precipitated by an unknown private vehicle reversing on the main carriageway, which forced the commercial minibus, travelling at considerable speed, to apply a sudden brake,” Taofiq said.
He explained that the abrupt manoeuvre caused the bus to lose control, overturn several times and eventually burst into flames while conveying nine passengers, including the driver.
Further investigations revealed that the driver was allegedly transporting a five-litre container of petrol inside the vehicle, which ignited after the crash and led to a severe fire outbreak.
“The driver and a female passenger seated in the front were burnt beyond recognition in the ensuing inferno,” Taofiq disclosed.
He added that LASTMA operatives on routine traffic surveillance responded swiftly to the scene and were able to rescue eight passengers from the wreckage before the fire intensified.
“They immediately facilitated the evacuation of the injured victims to a nearby medical facility with the assistance of a public-spirited motorist,” he said.
The accident scene was secured with the support of the Divisional Traffic Officer of the Ilasa Police Division to ensure safety and traffic control, while the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) were deployed to extinguish the fire and support rescue operations.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased, while wishing the injured passengers a speedy recovery.
Giwa warned motorists against reversing on highways, describing the practice as extremely dangerous and capable of causing avoidable tragedies. He urged both private and commercial drivers to maintain full concentration while driving.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property on Lagos roads, calling on all road users to obey traffic regulations, prioritise safety, and cooperate with traffic management authorities to prevent needless loss of lives.
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