A tragic road accident along the busy Okota–Mile 2 corridor in Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday, February 10, claimed the lives of a commercial bus driver and a female passenger, while eight other occupants sustained varying degrees of injuries after the vehicle overturned and burst into flames.
The incident involved a yellow commercial minibus popularly used for intra-city transport. According to officials, the bus was conveying a total of nine people, including the driver, at the time of the crash. The accident occurred following a sudden traffic disturbance caused by an unidentified private vehicle.
Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, explained that preliminary investigations showed that the private vehicle unexpectedly reversed on the main carriageway. This action allegedly forced the oncoming commercial bus, which was travelling at a considerable speed, to brake sharply.
The abrupt braking reportedly caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The minibus subsequently somersaulted multiple times before bursting into flames, creating panic among road users and nearby residents.
LASTMA disclosed that further investigation revealed the presence of a five-litre container of petrol inside the bus. The highly flammable substance ignited immediately after the crash, intensifying the fire and making rescue efforts more dangerous.
Tragically, the driver of the bus and a female passenger who was seated in the front were trapped by the inferno and were burnt beyond recognition before help could reach them. Their identities had not been officially released as of the time of the report, pending notification of their families.
Despite the severity of the incident, eight other passengers were rescued alive. LASTMA operatives who were on routine traffic monitoring in the area responded swiftly after receiving distress alerts. Working under extremely risky conditions, they managed to pull the survivors from the wreckage before the fire spread further.
The injured passengers were immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where they are currently receiving treatment. Authorities have not yet disclosed details regarding the severity of their injuries, but officials confirmed that prompt medical attention was provided.
The accident caused temporary traffic congestion along the Okota–Mile 2 road as emergency responders, including traffic officials and other first responders, worked to secure the scene, clear the burnt vehicle, and restore normal traffic flow. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes during the rescue and recovery operation.
LASTMA used the incident to reiterate warnings to motorists against dangerous driving practices, including illegal reversing on major highways. The agency also cautioned commercial drivers against transporting inflammable materials such as petrol alongside passengers, describing the practice as extremely hazardous and illegal.
Authorities noted that investigations into the full circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing. Efforts are also underway to identify the private vehicle allegedly involved in the incident.
The Lagos State Government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of road safety, defensive driving, and strict compliance with traffic regulations to prevent avoidable tragedies. This latest incident adds to growing concerns over reckless driving and poor safety practices on major roads across the state.
Residents and commuters along the Okota–Mile 2 axis described the accident as devastating and called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws to protect lives on Lagos roads.
Source: Africa Publicity
