Olusegun ARIYO
At least two persons have been confirmed dead, while eight others sustained injuries following a fatal road traffic crash involving a commercial minibus along the Okota axis of Lagos State.
The incident occurred along the Ballet inward corridor to Mile 2 in Okota, Isolo, and involved a mini yellow commercial bus, popularly known as Faka, with registration number SMK 823 YK, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has said.
According to a statement issued by LASTMA and made available to Daily Post on Tuesday, preliminary security findings revealed that the accident was triggered by an unidentified private vehicle that reversed on the main carriageway.
The statement explained that the sudden manoeuvre forced the commercial bus, which was reportedly travelling at considerable speed, to apply an abrupt brake, causing the vehicle to lose control, overturn repeatedly and eventually burst into flames while conveying nine occupants, including the driver.
Further investigations, according to LASTMA, revealed that the driver of the minibus was carrying a five-litre container of petrol inside the vehicle.
The inflammable substance reportedly ignited immediately after the crash, resulting in a severe fire outbreak.
Tragically, the inferno claimed the lives of the driver and a female passenger who was seated in the front of the vehicle. Both victims were said to have been burnt beyond recognition.
LASTMA officials, who were on routine traffic surveillance in the area at the time of the incident, were said to have responded swiftly to the emergency.
Through prompt intervention, the operatives successfully rescued eight passengers from the wreckage before the fire escalated. The injured victims were immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility with the assistance of a public-spirited motorist.
The accident scene was subsequently secured with the support of the Divisional Traffic Officer of Ilasa Police Division, who was personally on the ground to ensure adequate security and manage traffic flow within the axis.
Emergency response efforts were further reinforced by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which collaborated with the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, to extinguish the fire and support rescue operations.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
