Palpable tension gripped motorists along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday evening following an explosion at the Otedola Bridge axis.
PUNCH Online gathered from multiple videos shared on X that the explosion occurred around 7 p.m., with thick flames seen billowing from the scene.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, some X users speculated that a petrol tanker was involved. One user, Tonye Oliver, described the incident as a “major disaster,” while another, Pamilerin Adegoke, urged commuters to avoid the area, warning of “heavy fire right now.”
Confirming the incident in a brief WhatsApp message, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, stated that emergency responders were at the scene. “Some sort of explosion. Awaiting Preliminary Report. LASEMA’s Tiger Response Team at the location,” he said.
This is not the first time Otedola Bridge has been the site of such a disaster. The location has witnessed multiple tanker explosions in the past, often resulting in tragic loss of lives and property.
In 2018, a petrol-laden tanker lost control and exploded on the bridge, claiming at least 12 lives and destroying over 50 vehicles. Similarly, in October 2020, another tanker burst into flames in the same area, causing significant damage and traffic disruption.
