Dare Babalola
Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders have swiftly contained a collision between a PMS tanker and a Lexus Jeep at Berger Suya, inward Mile 2, Lagos, preventing a potentially catastrophic explosion.
This was made known by Adebayo Taofiq, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, in a statement he signed on Sunday.
He stated that preliminary reports revealed that the Lexus Jeep, with registration number LSR 606 XH, was allegedly speeding when it rammed into the PMS-laden tanker.
He added that the impact caused the tanker driver to lose control, crashing into several unregistered vehicles displayed along the highway setback, saying that several vehicles were extensively damaged in the incident.
Taofiq said LASTMA officials at the scene acted promptly, cordoning off the area and restricting vehicular movement to ensure public safety.
Emergency responders also supervised the safe transloading of the highly flammable PMS into another tanker to prevent ignition.
He wrote, “LASTMA personnel attached to the area arrived at the scene with commendable promptness, immediately cordoning off and restricting vehicular movement across the entire corridor to ensure public safety and to facilitate the safe transloading of the highly flammable PMS into another tanker.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which promptly deployed its officers to the scene, flushed and neutralized the fuel spillage, thereby averting an imminent explosion and ensuring the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and nearby residents.”
Taofiq added that officers from the Trinity Police Division provided security reinforcement throughout the sensitive operation, maintaining order and safeguarding the accident scene during the transloading and evacuation processes.
Further investigation revealed that the driver of the Lexus Jeep sustained injuries and was subsequently handed over to the Police by LASTMA officials for further inquiry, while the tanker driver absconded immediately after the incident.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, lauded the swift synergy and professionalism demonstrated by all responding agencies, describing the intervention as “a remarkable testament to the efficiency, coordination, and readiness of Lagos State’s emergency response architecture.”
He noted that the timely containment of the situation prevented what could have been a devastating explosion, given the volatility of petroleum products.
Bakare-Oki further admonished motorists to desist from reckless driving, adhere strictly to speed limits, and exercise maximum caution while on the road, emphasizing that LASTMA remains steadfastly committed to the protection of lives and property through proactive traffic management, continuous public sensitization, and rapid emergency interventions.
He reiterated that under the ongoing 24-hour operational regime, LASTMA will continue to strengthen collaboration with emergency and security agencies to ensure that traffic-related incidents across Lagos are swiftly and safely managed, thereby minimizing casualties and preventing secondary disasters.
