Tragedy was narrowly averted on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, after seventeen passengers were rescued while one sustained severe burns when a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial vehicle caught fire at the Berger section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Swift evacuation averts higher casualties
The incident involved a fully loaded commercial bus with registration number EKY 798 YK, conveying 18 occupants—including the driver—from the Mowe-Ibafo axis heading into Lagos.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, the vehicle suddenly caught fire following a gas explosion, sparking panic among passengers and motorists.
LASTMA personnel on routine traffic duty deployed to the scene, successfully evacuating 17 occupants without injuries.
However, one male passenger seated in the rear section suffered severe burn injuries before he could escape.
Inter-agency response and medical aid
The injured passenger was rushed to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for urgent medical treatment.
Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived to extinguish the inferno, preventing the flames from spreading to nearby vehicles, while officers from the Ojodu Police Division secured the perimeter.
Safety warnings for CNG operators
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki commended the emergency teams for their rapid response.
He urged commercial transport operators utilising CNG-powered systems to prioritise regular professional inspections and adhere strictly to safety protocols regarding gas storage and delivery units.
Read Also: Lagos explosion: One dies, four in critical condition
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