I write this with a mix of pain and gratitude. Pain, because I lost a hardworking and honest man, Rotimi Olaleye, who was not only an exceptional auto mechanic but also a devoted father.
His children, whom he had been raising alone since his wife passed away five years ago, described him as a caring and responsible parent. His clients, including myself, knew him as a meticulous and trustworthy professional. Though we met less than a week before his tragic death, his impact on me remains unforgettable.
Gratitude, because I was just seconds away from where Mr. Olaleye stood when the fire that took his life erupted. My wife, my first child, and I narrowly escaped.
How It All Started
I first met Mr. Olaleye on March 8, 2025, when I needed a new mechanic. A skilled car air conditioning technician, Mr. Akinola Ayeni, introduced me to him. That day, we took my car for a test drive. He quickly spotted some issues, including a missing knot securing the ABS wire to the driver’s side wheel—an oversight by my former mechanic. He fixed it immediately but told me honestly that other repairs would have to wait until Monday because he had other jobs to complete. I left, confident in his abilities.
On Monday, I took the car to him. He was thorough and took his time, even though I had told him that once he finished working on my wife’s Highlander, I would bring my own car for servicing. He refused to rush the process.
The next morning, an accident on Otedola Bridge caused heavy traffic. My wife, who was heading out, had to turn back home. We live in an estate near OPIC in Ogun State. Meanwhile, Mr. Olaleye had called to advise me against coming to meet him. He had already spent three hours in traffic from Mowe, Ogun State, and was still not close to Berger in Lagos—a trip that usually takes less than 30 minutes. He kept updating me on his progress until 6 p.m. when he finally confirmed that the repairs were complete.
When I asked if I could come over, he said no—he wanted the car washed first. I tried to convince him to let me do it the next day, but he insisted. Eventually, he called at 7 p.m. to say his apprentices had finished washing the car.
A Series of Delays That Saved Us
I called my wife, Mrs. Taiwo Oladipo, to let her know it was time to go home. Since we work in the same building, she met me downstairs. But then, we had to wait a few minutes for our daughter, Ewaoluwa, a 500-level Chemical Engineering student, who was visiting a friend.
On our way home, my wife and daughter suggested buying drinking water from a supermarket in Ogba, Lagos, where it was cheaper than at our estate. This would save us ₦2,000. I initially refused, saying Mr. Olaleye was waiting. But as we passed the supermarket, my wife insisted. I stopped, reversed, and we spent about 10 minutes there.
We continued our journey, passing through the New Afrika Shrine area and heading toward the Opay building, just two minutes from where Mr. Olaleye was waiting with both his car and mine. He had parked near the gate of the mechanic village, just beneath Otedola Bridge. I assured him in Yoruba, “E maa ri wa ni iseju kan” (You will see us in one minute).
As we descended the bridge and approached the road divider, about 10 seconds from where he was, my wife suddenly noticed a truck losing control. Instinct kicked in—I quickly veered toward CMD Road. In an instant, the truck crashed, its tanker burst, and the sky turned blue—revealing it was carrying gas. I had just enough time to dial Mr. Akin, the last number on my car’s dashboard. The call was ringing when the explosion erupted, followed by a massive fire.
The Aftermath
A woman behind me grew impatient and banged on my car, yelling, “Move, move!” My wife was also panicking. But I hesitated and told them, “We have a man down there. Let’s see if there’s anything we can do before we go too far.” Then, Mr. Olaleye’s phone stopped ringing.
I immediately called Mr. Ayeni, who was at Agidingbi. He asked, “Have you collected your car? Rotimi has parked by the gate and is waiting for you.” He hadn’t realized what had just happened. I shouted, and he finally heard me. He rushed back to the scene, where he and others found Mr. Olaleye’s body—face down.
His apprentices later told us that as the truck crashed, he instructed them to flee while he tried to save my wife’s car. His own car was parked right behind mine. He managed to turn it around toward the workshop, but that was as far as he got.
That night, I cried. Something I hadn’t done in years.
A Tribute to Mr. Olaleye
Though I only knew Mr. Olaleye for a short time, he left a lasting impact. His dedication to his work was remarkable. It hurts that he never picked up my last call, which was to tell him to abandon the car and run for his life. May his soul rest in peace.
I later learned that a Zenith Bank staff member and his wife also died in the explosion. The man had just returned from his annual leave that same day. He had picked up his wife, and they were heading home when tragedy struck. May their souls, and those of others lost in the accident, rest in peace.
Emergency Response: Lagos State Government’s Efforts and Shortcomings
The Lagos State Government responded swiftly, but it was not enough. Only one fire truck arrived within 15–20 minutes of the fire breaking out. Once it ran out of water, it took another 15–20 minutes for another truck to arrive. By the time rescuers reached Mr. Olaleye, he was still breathing, but help came too late.
Despite these challenges, the emergency team did well. They managed to clear the scene within 18 hours, despite the dangers of dealing with a gas explosion.
The Truck Company’s Role
The company that owned the truck, Second Coming Gas Company, responded in a mixed manner. While they reached out to the injured in the hospital and spoke with the technicians’ association, they could have done better. Witnesses had noticed the truck was faulty before the crash. It seemed the driver was trying to “manage” it into a station on CMD Road. If it had exploded there, the casualties could have been much higher.
The Need for Better Traffic Enforcement
It is frustrating that Lagosians pay ₦15,000 for third-party insurance but receive no compensation when accidents involve fire. Insurance companies should offer more comprehensive coverage.
Additionally, the Federal Road Safety Corps and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority must do better. It often feels like traffic laws apply only to private vehicle owners, while commercial trucks carrying hazardous materials get away with dangerous infractions. Until these agencies fully enforce their mandates, reckless drivers will continue to put lives at risk on Otedola and Kara bridges.
