Lagos Tanker Fire: Government Reveals Identity Of Tanker Owner That Caused Fire

Otedola bridge tanker fire (File Photo)

Plans Concluded To Prosecute Truck Owner

The Lagos State government has announced that it has identified the owner of the fuel tanker that caused the Otedola bridge fire in the state, resulting in the death of at least 12 persons, leaving several others injured and many cars burnt.

The state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, while speaking during a meeting on investigations conducted about the accident, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa on Tuesday, July 24, 2018, revealed the current owner of the tanker as Hassan Yusuf Maiwaka.

Naija News recalls recalls that while giving details during the preliminary investigation, the government had earlier revealed that the fuel tanker in question was registered in Kano State but had changed ownership 13 times since purchase.

The Nation reports that Lawanson disclosed that Maiwaka will be brought to the state to face prosecution as the government had earlier ruled that the accident occurred due to a combination of vehicular defect and human errors.

“It is so unfortunate, but the Lagos State government has written to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos to ensure that the owner of the vehicle is brought from Kano to Lagos for prosecution,” he said.

The Lagos state Ministry of Transport organized the Tuesday meeting to enable the Nigerian Insurers Associations access vehicles damaged in the accident in order to take necessary steps in ensuring prompt and proper payment of compensation to the victims and their families.

According to Lawanson, a total of 55 vehicles were involved in the accident and 39 of them were registered in Lagos; and their owners have been traced and contacted.

The Director-General of Nigerian Insurers Associations, Yetunde Ilori, gave assurances that all genuine cases of insurance claims involved in the accident will be supported and claims will be paid by the concerned insurance companies both for the burnt vehicles and lives lost.