A fatal road accident involving a commercial minibus has left two people dead and eight others injured along the Okota–Mile 2 corridor of Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday along the Ballet inward route to Mile 2 in the Okota area of Isolo and involved a yellow commercial minibus, popularly known as Faka, with registration number SMK 823 YK.
Confirming the crash, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, said preliminary findings showed that the tragedy was caused by an unknown private vehicle that reversed on the main carriageway.
According to him, the sudden reversal forced the commercial bus, which was moving at high speed, to apply an abrupt brake, causing it to lose control, overturn several times and burst into flames while conveying nine passengers, including the driver. The commercial bus bursts into flames in Lagos after losing stability on the busy highway.
Taofiq further disclosed that investigations revealed the driver was allegedly transporting a five-litre container of petrol inside the vehicle. He said the inflammable substance ignited after the crash, leading to a massive fire outbreak.
“The driver and a female passenger seated in front were burnt beyond recognition in the ensuing inferno,” he stated.
LASTMA officials on routine patrol reportedly arrived at the scene promptly and rescued eight passengers from the wreckage before the fire intensified. The injured victims were evacuated to a nearby medical facility with the assistance of a public-spirited motorist.
Security at the scene was provided by officers of the Ilasa Police Division, while the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) worked to extinguish the fire and support rescue operations.
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Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed sadness over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished the injured passengers a speedy recovery.
Giwa warned motorists against reversing on highways, describing the practice as dangerous and capable of causing avoidable tragedies. He urged drivers to remain alert and adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent further accidents.
LASTMA reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property on Lagos roads and called on all road users to prioritise safety and cooperate with traffic management authorities. The agency noted that the tragic incident in which a commercial bus bursts into flames in Lagos underscores the need for stricter compliance with traffic rules and the safe transport of flammable substances.