A devastating accident occurred at the Ota Toll Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Tuesday afternoon, February 17, 2026, when a fully laden fuel tanker lost control and rammed into scores of people, leaving many feared dead and several others critically injured.
Reports reaching DDNewsOnline from Orisun Awori TV News indicate that the tanker, inbound from Ota town, suddenly veered off the road and ploughed into pedestrians, commuters and vehicles at the busy toll plaza around 8:45 a.m.
An eyewitness who spoke to Orisun Awori TV News correspondent described the scene as “extremely tragic,” saying the impact caused multiple fatalities and left bodies scattered across the expressway. Casualty figures remain unconfirmed as of press time, with rescue efforts ongoing.
Emergency Response: Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Ogun State Fire Service, and local vigilantes have been mobilised to the scene. Several ambulances and first responders from nearby hospitals are evacuating victims to the General Hospital Ota and other facilities.The expressway has been partially blocked, causing severe traffic gridlock in both directions.
The tanker reportedly lost control while attempting to navigate the toll plaza, possibly due to brake failure or reckless driving. Fuel spillage has raised fears of fire outbreak; FRSC officials are currently managing the spill to prevent explosion.
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Ogun State Government and security agencies are yet to release an official casualty figure or statement. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South-West zonal office has been activated and is coordinating rescue operations.
This is a developing story. DDNewsOnline is monitoring for updates on casualty figures, cause of the accident and official statements.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
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