Swift Response by LASTMA Prevents Major Fire Disaster as Gas Tanker Overturns in Lekki

Swift Response by LASTMA Prevents Major Fire Disaster as Gas Tanker Overturns in Lekki

......Agency activates multi-agency rescue operation, restores normalcy within hours

A major tragedy was averted in the early hours of Monday when operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) swiftly contained a potentially catastrophic fire incident after a gas-laden tanker overturned along the main carriageway at Chisco, inward Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred when the driver of a white Howo truck, fully loaded with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders, lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn on the busy expressway. The situation immediately posed a grave threat to lives and property due to the highly inflammable nature of the gas.

LASTMA officers on duty promptly arrived at the scene, cordoned off the affected section of the road, and secured the tanker to prevent gas leakage or any possible ignition.

Recognizing the magnitude of the risk, the LASTMA Rescue and Emergency Unit quickly activated a multi-agency response, summoning the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Through their combined efforts, the potential disaster was effectively neutralized, and the area was declared safe.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who led the operation on-site, commended the professionalism, precision, and composure of the rescue teams.

“Our officers acted with remarkable speed and courage. Their swift intervention prevented what could have been an unimaginable tragedy,” he said. “We ensured the recovery operation was handled under the strictest safety protocols, using heavy-duty cranes and advanced recovery equipment.”

He further disclosed that additional LASTMA personnel were deployed to manage traffic around the affected corridor, ensuring the safety of commuters and minimizing disruption to vehicular movement.

During the operation, traffic from Chisco inward Victoria Island was temporarily diverted through the new coastal road and reconnected via Bar Beach until the tanker was safely recovered and the road reopened.

Mr. Bakare-Oki emphasized the need for truck drivers and operators of articulated vehicles conveying flammable or hazardous materials to strictly comply with road safety regulations, including maintaining proper vehicle conditions, observing speed limits, and exercising extra caution in wet weather.

He noted that products such as gas, petrol, diesel, and kerosene require the highest level of care during transportation to avoid disastrous consequences.

Reaffirming the Lagos State Government’s commitment to public safety, the LASTMA boss assured that the agency, in collaboration with other emergency and enforcement bodies, will continue to promote traffic discipline and ensure rapid response to emergencies across the state.

“Our mandate is clear — to safeguard lives, protect property, and maintain order on Lagos roads. This successful intervention reflects the coordinated effort of all our partner agencies and the government’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient Lagos,” he added.