Three Injured as Tanker Explosion Triggers Chaos on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

Tension gripped the Iyana-Isolo area of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos on Sunday after a diesel-laden tanker exploded in a multiple-vehicle crash, leaving three people seriously injured and bringing traffic to a standstill.

The accident, which occurred around 1:00 p.m., involved a tanker carrying 45,000 litres of diesel. Witnesses said it rammed into a commercial minibus before being sandwiched by two heavy-duty trucks—a flatbed and a 40-foot container—sparking a massive fire.

Eyewitnesses described the inferno as “hellfire on earth.” One roadside trader recalled:

“The flames shot into the sky. People were screaming and running for their lives. We thought everyone inside the bus was gone, but by God’s mercy, three people crawled out alive, though badly injured.”

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene with teams from Isolo and Bolade stations, arriving minutes after the 1:05 p.m. distress call. According to the Controller General of the Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, no fatalities were recorded, though three victims sustained severe injuries and were taken to hospital.

“Our teams quickly brought the fire under control, concluded mop-up operations, and restored safety to the area,” she said, blaming the tragedy on reckless driving.

“This disaster could have claimed dozens of lives. Drivers must obey traffic rules and road safety guidelines at all times,” Adeseye warned.

For several hours, the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway was locked down as thick black smoke billowed across the city. By evening, emergency crews had cleared the wreckage of the tanker, trucks, and minibus, gradually reopening the road to traffic.

Despite the restoration, residents and traders said the horror of the incident would not be forgotten quickly. One witness noted:

“People were running, praying, some crying. We thank God that no life was lost, because what we saw was death staring at us.”

The incident once again highlights the grave dangers posed by Nigeria’s congested highways, where a single act of recklessness can unleash chaos and destruction within moments.