Seventeen people have been rescued after a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus exploded and burst into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving one passenger with severe burn injuries.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Berger Bus Stop, along the Lagos-bound section of the expressway, triggering panic among commuters and other motorists.

According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the vehicle was a fully loaded Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 798 YK.

The bus, carrying 18 occupants, including the driver, was travelling from the Mowe-Ibafo axis towards Lagos when it reportedly caught fire following a gas explosion.

LASTMA officials who responded to the emergency rescued 17 occupants, including the driver, without injuries.

However, one male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle sustained severe burns in the incident.

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The injured passenger was evacuated by LASTMA personnel and taken to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre, Toll Gate, for urgent medical treatment.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to the incident, deploying firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to other vehicles and nearby areas.

Police officers from the Ojodu Police Division provided security at the scene, maintained order and supported the emergency response.

Commending the emergency responders, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the agency’s personnel for their swift intervention, courage and professionalism, which helped save the lives of 17 occupants.

He also acknowledged the cooperation between LASTMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Nigeria Police Force during the rescue operation.

Bakare-Oki urged commercial transport operators, particularly those using CNG-powered vehicles, to prioritise regular professional inspections and proper vehicle maintenance.

He emphasised the need to comply with prescribed safety standards, especially those relating to gas storage systems and fuel delivery components, to reduce the risk of explosions and other fire-related emergencies.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of CNG-powered commercial vehicles and the need for strict adherence to maintenance requirements as Nigeria increasingly promotes natural gas as an alternative fuel for transportation.

A prominent member of the Oyo State Muslim Community (MUSCOYS), Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has congratulated the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilatul Sheikh Barrister Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, on his first anniversary in office, describing his leadership as a period of remarkable achievements and far-reaching influence.

Agunbiade said the Muslim cleric had made an impact within just 12 months that could ordinarily take a decade to achieve, citing his efforts to promote unity, strengthen relationships with Islamic institutions and expand the influence of the Muslim community in Oyo State and beyond.

The Grand Chief Imam marked his first anniversary on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

In a congratulatory message made available to journalists, Agunbiade said the milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and contributions of a religious leader whose emergence, according to him, had renewed hope and confidence among Muslims in Oyo Land.

He stressed that the anniversary was more than a celebration of one year in office, describing it as a recognition of purposeful leadership, institutional engagement and efforts to advance the interests of the Muslim Ummah.

Agunbiade recalled that Sheikh Akeugberu’s emergence as Grand Chief Imam had raised expectations among Muslims who wanted a leader capable of providing direction, strengthening unity and promoting the collective interests of the community.

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He said the cleric began demonstrating his leadership capacity shortly after assuming office, particularly through engagements with prominent Islamic authorities and respected Muslim institutions.

One of the early developments he highlighted was the reception accorded the Grand Chief Imam by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, within the first month of his emergence.

Agunbiade described the meeting as an indication of the recognition and acceptance enjoyed by the Oyo Muslim leader within the wider Nigerian Muslim community.

He added that Sheikh Akeugberu’s engagements had since extended beyond Oyo State, strengthening his relevance across the Southwest and the wider Nigerian Muslim Ummah.

The MUSCOYS member described the Grand Chief Imam as a man of honour, dignity, wisdom and exceptional leadership qualities, noting that religious leadership required more than occupying an influential position.

According to him, the office demands humility, inclusiveness, courage, selfless service and a genuine commitment to the welfare and unity of the faithful.

He particularly praised Sheikh Akeugberu’s ability to engage Muslims across different ideological orientations, saying the responsibility of a Grand Chief Imam was to unite the community rather than deepen divisions.

Agunbiade said the cleric had demonstrated the importance of building bridges, fostering mutual understanding and providing direction for Muslims with different perspectives and affiliations.

“The Grand Chief Imam is a man whose emergence many Muslims had anticipated with great expectations. Alhamdulillah, barely one year into his administration, his impact has given renewed meaning to those expectations,” he said.

He added that the first year of the cleric’s leadership had demonstrated what could be achieved when experience, wisdom, influence and commitment to the Muslim Ummah were combined.

Agunbiade urged Muslims in Oyo Land and beyond to continue supporting the Grand Chief Imam, offering prayers for him and cooperating with his leadership.

He said the continued progress of the Muslim community depended on collective responsibility, mutual understanding and the willingness of stakeholders to work together for the common good.

The congratulatory message also included prayers for the cleric’s good health, wisdom, strength, sincerity and divine protection as he continues to discharge the responsibilities of his office.

Agunbiade expressed the hope that the remaining years of Sheikh Akeugberu’s tenure would bring greater unity, spiritual advancement and institutional development, while strengthening the recognition of Muslims in Oyo Land, the Southwest and Nigeria.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would preserve the Grand Chief Imam, increase him in knowledge and wisdom, protect him from distractions and enable him to serve Islam and humanity with sincerity.

He also expressed the hope that the cleric’s future years in office would build on the achievements of his first year and bring lasting benefits to the Muslim Ummah.