2 Dead, 8 Passengers Injured As Minibus Somersaults, Catches Fire In Lagos

A tragic accident occurred along the Ballet inward corridor to Mile 2, Okota, Isolo, Lagos, on Tuesday, claiming two lives and leaving eight others injured when a yellow commercial minibus overturned and burst into flames.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was caused by an unidentified private vehicle reversing on the main carriageway. The sudden manoeuvre forced the minibus, which was travelling at considerable speed, to brake abruptly. The bus lost control, somersaulted multiple times, and ignited after a five-litre petrol container inside the vehicle caught fire.

The driver and a female passenger seated at the front seats were burnt beyond recognition. LASTMA operatives, who were on routine surveillance, swiftly rescued eight passengers before the fire intensified, with assistance from a public-spirited motorists. The victims were immediately evacuated to a nearby medical facility.

The accident scene was secured by the Divisional Traffic Officer of the Ilasa Police Division, while the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by LASAMBUS, extinguished the blaze and coordinated emergency operations.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed deep sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

He also wished the eight rescued passengers a speedy and complete recovery. The special adviser further issued a stern warning to both private and commercial motorists, urging them to exercise maximum concentration while driving and to desist from reversing on highways, noting that such dangerous practices pose grave risks and are capable of triggering avoidable calamities.

LASTMA reiterated its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property on Lagos roads and called on all road users to comply strictly with traffic regulations and prioritise safety at all times and cooperate fully with traffic management authorities to prevent needless loss of lives.