SCORES KILLED, VEHICLES BURNT AS FUEL TANKER EXPLODES IN LAGOS

AMBODE COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF DEAD

EMMANUEL UKUDOLO I FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – It was another sad day in Lagos on Thursday when a tanker laden with petrol exploded along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, leading to the death of nine persons, while several others were injured. Besides, properties including over 50 vehicles were consumed by the resulting inferno.

The incident which occurred just in front of Sir Michael Otedola Estate threw the whole area into confusion as motorists and commuters run for their lives. Although the cause of the accident is sketchy, eye witness say that the brakes of the tanker failed and lost balance in the quest by the driver to stabilise it forcing it into an explosion with a force that threw some vehicles from top to the foot of the bridge.

Most of them were set alight on landing on the bare floor. The incident threw the whole of Lagos into heavy traffic jam with most workers traveling for over eight hours only to get home as late as 11pm. Confirming the incident, spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said about 54 vehicles were also burnt in the incident. Eye witnesses say not less than 10 bodies were spotted on the scene burnt beyond recognition. Officials of the FRSC and those of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA were still on duty removing the dead for burial as at press time.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives and property in a fatal tanker explosion which occurred on Thursday evening on Otedola Bridge, inward Ojodu Berger area of the State.The incident, which occurred at about 5pm, left scores of vehicles burnt while some lives were lost.

The Government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, described the incident as a sad development, saying that the incident was most unfortunate and regrettable.  

“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, we extend our deepest commiseration to the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief. As a government, we would not relent in putting measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents,” Bamigbetan said.

The Commissioner said that Governor Ambode has directed all relevant agencies to move into the area to normalise the apprehension that had taken over the area and to also ensure that those in need are adequately taken care of.  

The governor assured that clearing of the highway of damaged vehicles to establish normal traffic flow would continue throughout the night until the objective is achieved. He called for the co-operation of all citizens with the officials of the agencies to restore the situation to normalcy. He also urged motorists to continue to adhere to the safety standard and the State Traffic Laws so as to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents.