A dispatch rider has been killed after a collision with a diesel tanker on the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway in Lagos, while the truck driver fled the scene, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

The incident occurred under the Cele Bridge corridor, a busy section of the expressway linking the Apapa port area to other parts of the city. Authorities said the tanker, identified as a HOWO vehicle with registration number RBC 38 XF, struck the motorcycle while in motion.

Security reports indicated that the impact left the rider trapped beneath the tanker, leading to his death at the scene.

LASTMA officials said their personnel responded immediately, securing the area to prevent further accidents and manage traffic flow along the route.

“LASTMA personnel stationed along the axis acted with prompt precision, instantly cordoning off and securing the crash site,” the agency said in a statement.

The tanker involved in the crash was impounded, but the driver fled after the incident, authorities added.

Police officers from the Ijesha Division later arrived at the scene to take over the investigation. The body of the deceased rider, along with the damaged motorcycle and the tanker, was handed over to the police for further action.

The remains were subsequently taken to a morgue in Yaba.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the victim and described the incident as distressing.

He called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and urged law enforcement authorities to ensure accountability.

“We urge the Police to pursue a comprehensive inquiry into the root cause of the crash and ensure that justice is served,” he said.

Road accidents involving heavy-duty trucks remain a concern on major highways in Lagos, particularly along the Apapa corridor, which experiences high volumes of commercial traffic linked to port activities.

Traffic authorities have repeatedly warned drivers of articulated vehicles to adhere to safety regulations, including speed limits and vehicle maintenance requirements, in order to reduce accidents.

The police have not yet announced any arrests, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.