Seventeen passengers have narrowly escaped death after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus burst into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving another passenger with severe burn injuries.
The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway when a fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.
The bus, with registration number EKY 798 YK, was carrying 18 occupants, including the driver, from the Mowe-Ibafo area towards Lagos when the incident happened.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) disclosed that its officers swiftly arrived at the scene and rescued 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries.
However, one male passenger who was seated at the rear of the vehicle sustained severe burns during the incident.
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LASTMA officials reportedly evacuated the injured passenger and rushed him to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for immediate medical treatment.
Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also arrived at the scene and deployed firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading.
Meanwhile, personnel of the Ojodu Police Division provided security and maintained order during the rescue and firefighting operations.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the agency’s officers for their swift response, courage and professionalism, noting that their intervention helped save 17 lives.
He also praised the cooperation among the various emergency agencies involved in the operation.
Bakare-Oki stressed that the incident highlighted the importance of prompt emergency response, proper coordination among rescue agencies and the availability of trained personnel during road emergencies.
He further advised commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to carry out regular professional inspections and ensure proper maintenance.
The LASTMA boss specifically urged operators to pay close attention to their vehicles’ gas storage and delivery systems while complying with established safety regulations to prevent similar incidents.
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