A devastating fire outbreak at the notorious Otedola Bridge in Lagos has claimed the lives of at least two people, including an automobile mechanic who died while trying to save his customers’ vehicles. The incident, which has once again raised concerns about road safety in Nigeria, occurred when a tanker carrying inflammable gas overturned under the bridge, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
Dotun Oladipo, the Chief Executive Officer of Premium Eagle Media Limited and publisher of Eagle Online, shared a heartbreaking account of how his mechanic, Rotimi Olaleye, lost his life in the inferno. According to Oladipo, he had planned to meet Olaleye at the mechanic yard that night to retrieve his wife’s car, which was under repair. However, an unexpected stop at a supermarket delayed his arrival, a twist of fate that ultimately saved him and his family from the deadly explosion.
Oladipo recounted how he, his wife, and their daughter were en route to the mechanic village when they decided to stop at a nearby store to buy drinking water. The brief detour lasted about 10 to 15 minutes, during which a trailer coming from CMD Road reportedly lost control and collided with the tanker. The impact triggered a massive explosion, sending flames and thick smoke billowing into the sky. The fire rapidly spread to nearby structures, including a church, a residential house, and the mechanic workshop where Olaleye worked.
Realizing the magnitude of the disaster unfolding ahead, Oladipo immediately turned away from the scene and attempted to contact Olaleye to warn him of the danger. He dialed his number multiple times, hoping to urge him to abandon the vehicle and flee for safety. Unfortunately, Olaleye never answered. Moments later, the explosion rocked the area, and his phone stopped ringing entirely. It was only after the chaos subsided that Oladipo learned of the tragic fate that had befallen his mechanic.
Witnesses at the mechanic yard recounted Olaleye’s final moments, revealing that he had told his apprentices to run for their lives while he stayed behind to save the cars under his care. Determined to protect his customers’ property, he braved the raging flames, making a desperate attempt to retrieve as many vehicles as possible. Sadly, his act of courage proved fatal. The intensity of the fire made it impossible for him to escape, and he perished in the inferno.
News of his death has sent shockwaves across the community, with many mourning the loss of a dedicated and hardworking man. His colleagues and customers have described him as a mechanic who took immense pride in his work and treated every vehicle as if it were his own. His unwavering commitment to his craft and his selflessness in the face of danger have led many to hail him as a hero who died in service.
The Otedola Bridge fire also claimed the life of another unidentified victim, while six others sustained various degrees of injuries. Emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, battling the flames and providing medical assistance to the wounded. Charred remains of vehicles and debris from the explosion littered the area, painting a grim picture of the destruction left in its wake.
This tragedy is just one in a series of accidents that have plagued Otedola Bridge in recent years. The location has become notorious for fatal crashes, tanker explosions, and container-related incidents that have resulted in significant loss of life and property. In 2023, a truck carrying wheat overturned on the bridge, killing one person. In 2021, a container fell off a truck and crushed a pedestrian, while another tanker explosion that same year left seven vehicles completely burnt.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their frustration over the recurring disasters at the bridge, calling for stricter safety measures and improved enforcement of road regulations. Some have questioned why such incidents continue to happen despite previous calls for better traffic management and stricter compliance with safety protocols for tankers and heavy-duty vehicles.
Authorities have yet to provide a detailed statement on what led to the latest accident, but investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the tanker’s loss of control. There are growing demands for immediate government intervention to prevent future occurrences, including stricter regulations for fuel transportation, improved road infrastructure, and the relocation of mechanic workshops from high-risk areas.
For now, the families of the victims are left to mourn their tragic loss. Olaleye’s death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that many everyday workers face while simply trying to earn a living. His bravery and dedication to his profession will not be forgotten, but his passing has left a void that will be difficult to fill.
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