A truck driver narrowly avoided death on Saturday evening after his vehicle was engulfed by fire along the Alausa Secretariat inward Otedola Bridge axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The incident, which caused panic among motorists, involved a Mack truck conveying an empty 20-foot container.
Confirming the development, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the truck suddenly caught fire while in motion, posing a serious risk to other road users.
“Preliminary findings show that the vehicle ignited unexpectedly while on the move, creating an immediate danger to nearby motorists and infrastructure,” he said.
Bakare-Oki noted that officials of the agency swiftly responded to the scene, prioritising the safety of those involved.
“Our operatives acted promptly and successfully rescued the driver, who escaped the incident unhurt,” he added.
Given the strategic and high-risk nature of the Otedola Bridge corridor, emergency response measures were immediately activated, with LASTMA personnel working in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to contain the blaze.
“Through coordinated efforts, the fire was quickly brought under control, preventing escalation into a more serious situation,” Bakare-Oki stated.
He further explained that the prompt intervention helped to limit damage and restore normal traffic flow along the busy expressway.
The LASTMA boss commended the professionalism of the operatives, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
Motorists were also advised to ensure regular maintenance of their vehicles, particularly electrical and mechanical systems, to prevent similar incidents.
The fire incident occurred just hours after another fatal explosion involving a gas truck and a trailer along the Lekki-Epe corridor, which reportedly claimed two lives.
