The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has ordered an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the tanker crash and ensuing inferno beneath Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with preliminary findings pointing to excessive speed as the cause.
The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, gave the directive following the incident, which occurred at about 4:10 p.m. on Monday and involved a diesel-laden tanker that plunged into the underpass beneath the bridge on the outward section of the expressway.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Osondu Ohaeri.
Mohammed said the crash triggered a raging inferno, highlighting the dangers posed by reckless driving, particularly among operators of heavy-duty vehicles transporting petroleum products.
He, however, disclosed that no fatalities were recorded in the initial report, while two adult male occupants of the tanker sustained injuries and were taken to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre for medical attention.
According to him, preliminary findings submitted by the Lagos Sector Command identified excessive speed as the cause of the crash.
“The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene at about 4;20 p.m., following a report received at 4;15 p.m., and joined other emergency responders in efforts to contain the fire, manage traffic and prevent further casualties.
“The agencies involved in the response included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Police and other emergency responders.”
The Corps Marshal described the incident as a grave reminder that irresponsible driving could endanger lives and property far beyond the driver and the vehicle, particularly when hazardous cargoes and heavily trafficked public infrastructure were involved.
He stressed that the investigation would establish the circumstances surrounding the crash, assuring that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
Mohammed also emphasised that transporting petroleum products required exceptional discipline, professional competence and strict compliance with safety standards.
He noted that tanker drivers must recognise that the size of their vehicles, the weight of their cargoes and the potentially devastating consequences of losing control left little room for error.
“Speeding, dangerous manoeuvres, poor vehicle maintenance and failure to comply with prescribed safety requirements can turn an ordinary journey into a disaster with devastating consequences,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC boss further warned fleet operators and tanker owners against prioritising commercial interests over human safety, stressing that unrealistic delivery schedules, inadequate driver supervision and poor vehicle maintenance must not be allowed to expose Nigerians to preventable danger.
He called for improved driver training, effective monitoring of driving behaviour, regular vehicle inspections and strict adherence to speed limits and other road safety regulations.
Mohammed commended the emergency responders for their coordinated intervention, noting that prompt collaboration among relevant agencies was critical to containing emergencies and preventing further casualties.
He also urged motorists to exercise extreme caution around emergency scenes and comply with traffic control instructions to enable emergency personnel to perform their duties effectively.
The Corps Marshal particularly warned members of the public against approaching burning tankers to collect spilled petroleum products or take photographs and videos of such incidents, cautioning that such actions could have potentially fatal consequences.
He urged motorists and other road users to keep away from emergency scenes and avoid obstructing rescue operations.
Mohammed said the FRSC would continue to intensify public education, operational surveillance and enforcement activities to promote responsible driving and protect road users.
He added that the Corps remained committed to preventing avoidable crashes, investigating incidents and ensuring accountability wherever negligence was established.
Reiterating the importance of collective responsibility in road safety, the Corps Marshal stressed that every driver, fleet operator and road user had a duty to ensure that individual decisions did not become a source of tragedy for innocent Nigerians.
He urged tanker operators and other motorists to prioritise safety, exercise caution and comply with traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents.
