Fuel tanker erupts in flames along Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway
A motorist has died while his wife sustained critical injuries following a crash involving a granite-laden articulated truck at Eleko Junction along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said the incident occurred when the truck, travelling from the Epe axis at high speed, reportedly suffered brake failure while approaching the junction. The driver subsequently lost control, veered off his lane and collided with a Toyota saloon car heading from Ajah towards Epe.

Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Adebayo Taofiq, said the impact caused the truck to topple onto the smaller vehicle, crushing it and trapping the Toyota driver inside the wreckage.

LASTMA officials, working with operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps and assisted by members of the public, rescued the occupants from the crushed vehicle. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was rescued with life-threatening injuries.

The deceased was taken to the mortuary, while his wife was evacuated for medical attention.

Authorities confirmed that the driver of the articulated truck fled the scene immediately after the crash, abandoning the vehicle. Officers from the Akodo Police Division provided security and maintained order during the rescue and recovery operations.

Reacting, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and described the crash as tragic and avoidable. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured woman and reiterated the agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly against reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance and other violations of road safety regulations.

Meanwhile, a 33,000-litre fuel tanker erupted into flames at about midnight on Wednesday, around Ile-Zik inward Magboro along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

The LASTMA Rescue Team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, successfully contained and extinguished the fire before it escalated.

Taofiq said LASTMA personnel immediately diverted vehicular traffic into the Bus Rapid Transit corridor to preserve public safety and minimise disruption. After firefighting and recovery operations were concluded, the affected corridor was reopened, restoring the free flow of traffic.