Again, petrol tanker fire rocks Otedola Bridge in Lagos as NNPC commiserates with LASG, victims

By Boye Ajayi

Following a midnight tanker explosion that has hit Otedola Bridge in Lagos on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State especially the victims of the unfortunate incident.

According to reports, the unfortunate incident occurred when a container truck loaded with fabric experienced a brake failure and collided with a 33,000-litre petrol tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), belonging to a downstream operator, the impact of which resulted in the fire.

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, said he felt sad about the recurrence of tanker explosion and accidents which, he noted, could have been avoided.

In a press statement by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Dr Kennie Obateru, the CEO admonished motorists and downstream operators to continue to ensure strict adherence to safety rules and regulations to avoid the unfortunate incidents that had led to loss of lives and property.

The spokesman for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr Nosa Okunbor, said the accident occurred when a trailer laden with fabrics crashed into a petrol tanker.

He said two vehicles were burnt but no casualty was recorded.

“No casualty was recorded. The fire has been put out by Lagos State Fire Fighters and LASEMA Response Team,’’ he said.

Persecondnews recalls that several petrol tanker fires had hit the Otedola Bridge, consuming lives and vehicles.

Just last week, a gas explosion had occurred in Baruwa Estate in Alimosho council area of Lagos which also claimed lives and damaged properties worth millions of naira.