Gas tanker collision sparks inferno on Lekki-Epe Expressway, knocking out Power across 11 communities

A devastating fire triggered by a gas tanker collision on the Lekki-Epe Expressway has caused a widespread power outage across parts of Lagos, with the Eko Electricity Distribution Company working to restore electricity to eleven affected communities after critical infrastructure was badly damaged in the blaze.

EKEDC confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the outage was caused by a vehicle collision involving a stationary gas tanker. The resulting fire caused significant damage to the Ibeju and Medallion 33kV feeders, including critical conductors and overhead line equipment.

The gas explosion occurred in the early hours of Saturday along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in the Sangotedo area, after a collision between a gas tanker and a tipper truck. The incident triggered a massive fire outbreak that spread rapidly across the area, affecting nearby structures and critical electricity infrastructure. Reports indicate that at least two people lost their lives in the explosion, while several properties, including warehouses and roadside shops, were destroyed in the inferno.

EKEDC listed the communities affected by the resulting blackout as Medallion Feeder, including Medallion Company, Sangotedo, Majek, Fidiso, Awoyaya, Container, Eputu, Lagasa, Losoro, Kajola, and Onisan, all served by the Ibeju 33kV feeder.

ALSO READ: Explosion rocks Ajah Area of Lagos, damages buildings, sparks panic

Residents in the affected areas have been urged to exercise caution while repair works continue, as EKEDC’s technical teams work to safely restore power to homes and businesses. The company did not provide a specific timeline for the restoration of supply, but said efforts were ongoing.

The Sangotedo-Awoyaya axis, which spans the Ibeju-Lekki corridor, is one of Lagos’s fastest-growing residential and commercial belts, home to thousands of households, businesses, industrial tenants, and technology hubs — making the unplanned blackout particularly disruptive given the scale of activity in the area.

The incident adds to a pattern of infrastructure vulnerability in the corridor. Residents of the Ibeju-Lekki axis have previously staged public protests over prolonged electricity outages, with communities including Sangotedo, Awoyaya, Bogije, and Kajola among those that have faced recurring blackouts linked to inadequate transmission capacity, with EKEDC previously acknowledging that the existing substation at Ajah is insufficient for the area’s electricity needs.

EKEDC has appealed for public patience while repairs are completed, and urged residents near electrical infrastructure to keep a safe distance from damaged equipment until the company’s technical teams complete their assessments and restoration work.