Five Injured in Fuel Tanker, Commercial Bus Accident

By Peter Dansu  At least five individuals sustained injuries in a serious road crash involving a fuel tanker and a commercial bus at Toyota ...

By Peter Dansu 

At least five individuals sustained injuries in a serious road crash involving a fuel tanker and a commercial bus at Toyota Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, on Thursday.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released on Friday, identifying the vehicles involved as a petrol-laden tanker with registration number T28128LA and a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus bearing GGE 526 YG.

According to the statement signed by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, preliminary investigations by the Oloto Police Division revealed that the tanker suffered a sudden brake failure while speeding, crashing into the fully-loaded passenger bus near The Guardian newspaper headquarters.

"LASTMA officers swiftly carried out a well-coordinated and effective rescue operation at the scene," the agency said, confirming that five people — including the bus driver, three women, and one man — were rescued from the wreckage.

One of the victims was rushed to a nearby hospital by a passerby, while emergency personnel from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit transported the others for urgent medical attention.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Bakare-Oki, extended heartfelt sympathies to the victims and wished them a speedy recovery. He condemned the incident as a result of “reckless disregard for clearly marked speed limits across Lagos highways.”

“Such crashes are avoidable if drivers adhere to speed regulations and ensure their vehicles, especially braking systems, are in perfect condition,” he added.

Bakare-Oki also urged owners of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles to prioritise the maintenance of their fleets and enforce continuous training and retraining programmes for their drivers.

“The sanctity of human life must remain the foremost concern in all transport activities,” he stressed.