Over 45 vehicles have been reportedly burnt to ashes as petrol tanker catches fire along the Otedola bridge, of Lagos Ibadan expressway around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
At the time of filing this report nine persons lost their lives while some are critical wounded,
They were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals by rescue teams involving the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Transport management Agency (LASTMA).
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 re-occurrence of such incidents.
