At least 17 people were on Wednesday rescued unhurt, while one passenger sustained severe burn injuries after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus exploded and burst into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.
The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop, on the Lagos-bound section of the busy expressway, involving a fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 798 YK.
The vehicle was reportedly conveying 18 occupants, including the driver, from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when an explosion involving its gas system triggered a fire, throwing passengers and other road users into panic.
While 17 occupants escaped without injuries, a male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle sustained severe burns.
He was subsequently evacuated to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for urgent medical attention.
The incident has again drawn attention to vehicle safety, particularly the maintenance and inspection of alternative-fuel commercial vehicles operating on Nigeria’s increasingly busy highways.
Speaking on the accident, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority(LASTMA) Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, said personnel of the agency promptly mobilised to the scene to evacuate the occupants.
He stated that officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze to prevent it from spreading.
Also, personnel from the Ojodu Police Division provided security and maintained order throughout the rescue and firefighting operations.
He urged commercial transport operators —particularly those running CNG-powered vehicles—to prioritise regular professional inspections, adhere to safety standards, and ensure the proper maintenance of their gas storage and delivery systems.
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