SAD! Newlywedded Zenith Bank Staff & His US-based Nurse Wife Buried Following Otedola Bridge Gas Tanker Explosion
A newlywedded couple, Dozie and Joan Okoye, who perished in a gas tanker explosion on March 11, 2025, have been laid to rest amidst tears and grief from family and friends.
Dozie and his US-based wife, Joan tied the knot just weeks earlier, on February 22, 2025, before meeting their untimely demise in the blast that occurred on the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
A viral video circulating on social media shows their wedding day and captures the emotional burial ceremony, with mourners overwhelmed by sorrow as they bid farewell to the young couple.
It was earlier reported that two unidentified bodies have been recovered following a tanker explosion on a Tuesday night last month that triggered a massive fire on Otedola Bridge, Lagos.
The tanker loaded with gas burst into flames, a situation that forced residents and motorists to scamper for safety.
Four people sustained varying degrees of injuries, while four buildings and 15 vehicles were destroyed in the blaze.
Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident at 10:30 p.m., stating, “The accident was suspected to have occurred when the vehicle was trying to ascend the link road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by Otedola Bridge. Consequently, the vehicle somersaulted, spilled its entire contents on the road, and fire ignited immediately.
“The vehicle’s registration number and make are still unknown. However, a total of four buildings, 15 burnt vehicles, including tricycles, an unspecified number of shops, and household properties were lost in the inferno.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire destroyed 12 vehicles, eight tricycles, and one building.
He said the three injured persons were immediately transported to hospitals for medical attention.
Earlier, Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency’s Tiger Response Team was on the scene working to bring the situation under control.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the road has been cordoned off. He also urged motorists to take alternative routes.
Similarly, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the accident in a statement.
In a post on X, LASTMA said the fire affected nearby structures, including a church, residential house, and mechanics’ parks at Otedola under bridge, adjacent to CMD Road.
It said emergency responders were on ground to handle the situation.
“A tanker has fallen and caught fire, affecting nearby structures, including a church, residential house, and mechanics’ parks at Otedola Under Bridge, adjacent to CMD Road,” the statement read.
“Fire Rescue teams are currently at the scene, working to extinguish the fire and mitigate the situation.
“Recovery efforts are ongoing. Due to the incident, there is currently no movement in or out of Otedola Under Bridge, resulting in a complete blockade of the area.”
The agency lamented that “despite repeated warnings and roadblocks, we have received reports that some motorists are recklessly attempting to navigate through the fire incident area, putting their lives at risk.”
It described the “behaviour” as “extremely hazardous,” warning Lagos motorists against it.
The Lagos State Fire service also weighed in on the explosion in a post on X.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a Fire resulting from a tanker accident outward Otedola bridge, Omole, Lagos at about 20:00 hours.
“The 30 tonnes DAF Gas Truck with an unknown registration number is on it way navigating,” the agency said.
However, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided a slightly different report, confirming the death of one person in the explosion.
According to the South West Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, four others were injured, while a commercial storey building was affected by the resulting fire.
“One person died, four people were injured, 14 vehicles and four shops were destroyed, while one commercial storey building was affected,” Farinloye said.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed that the fire also spread to a church, an adjoining bungalow, and four vehicles.
The explosion caused panic among motorists, with many scrambling to escape, making abrupt U-turns, and abandoning their vehicles in fear of being trapped in the inferno.
