Lagos Tanker Collides with Car, Crashes into Shop at Ekoro Junction
Kehinde Adeleye
At least one person has died, while four others were rescued following a road accident involving a MACK tanker and a Toyota Corolla at Ekoro Junction, Abule-Egba, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed in a statement that the crash occurred at about 7:30pm on Friday, February 20, 2026.
According to the agency, the tanker, with registration number EKY 900 XY, reportedly lost control and collided with a Toyota Corolla bearing registration number AAA 823 XY before crashing into a nearby shop.
The impact caused severe structural damage and triggered panic among traders, shop owners, and pedestrians in the area.
LASTMA said one person was confirmed dead, while four others were trapped in the wreckage. The victims were rescued with minor injuries and received immediate medical attention at the scene.
Officials from LASTMA were deployed to manage traffic, evacuate the vehicles, and control the crowd to prevent further incidents. A heavy-duty tow truck was later used to remove the damaged tanker and clear debris to restore normal traffic flow.
The tanker driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident. Authorities have condemned the action and said efforts are ongoing to track him down.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ekoro Division were also present to secure the area and assist with investigations, particularly to determine whether brake failure contributed to the crash.
The accident led to heavy traffic congestion along routes towards Abule-Egba, prompting LASTMA officers to implement diversions and manage vehicle movement in the affected corridor.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged drivers, especially operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to prioritise routine mechanical inspections.
He emphasised that brake failure remains one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes and called for strict adherence to traffic regulations, particularly in busy commercial areas.
Bakare-Oki assured the public that relevant security agencies would conduct a thorough investigation and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), the State Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and police officers, all of whom worked together to manage rescue operations, provide medical care, and restore order.
