Newly married couple burnt beyond recognition in tanker explosion

On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, what should have been an ordinary drive home turned into a nightmare for Chiedozie Okoye and his wife, Joan.

The newlyweds were among the unfortunate victims of a devastating gas tanker explosion near the infamous Otedola Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Eyewitnesses recount that a 30-tonne tanker carrying highly volatile automotive gas oil suffered brake failure while navigating the uphill stretch near Magodo Phase II Estate. The driver lost control, sending the massive vehicle hurtling down the slope.

“The truck slammed into a mini-bus that had stopped to drop off passengers. The conductor screamed for everyone to run, but within minutes, the explosion occurred,” said Michael, an eyewitness who spoke with Punch.

The resulting inferno engulfed multiple vehicles, including the car carrying Chiedozie and Joan. Michael recalled the harrowing scene: “The tanker landed on a car, and people inside screamed for help. Their cries filled the air, but no one could save them.”

Official reports initially placed the death toll at four, but eyewitnesses suggested the number could be higher, with at least seven feared dead. Over 18 vehicles were destroyed, and surrounding properties suffered extensive damage.

For the Okoye family, March 11 will forever be remembered as the day their world was shattered. Chiedozie and Joan had been married for just a few weeks, looking forward to a bright future together. Joan was scheduled to return to the United States for her nursing job three days after the explosion, but fate had other plans.

A source close to the family revealed, “Dozie had just resumed work that Tuesday after his wedding. Joan left her father’s house around 4 PM to meet him. That was the last anyone heard from them.”

As the news spread, frantic family members and friends attempted to reach the couple, but their phones remained unreachable. Their desperate search led them to the Burns Centre in Gbagada and the Yaba Mortuary, where their worst fears were confirmed.

The only means of identifying Chiedozie and Joan was the charred remains of their vehicle’s registration number found among the wreckage.

Chiedozie, an executive assistant at Zenith Bank, hailed from Uhueme Village in Agulu, Anambra State, while Joan, a nurse, was originally from Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra State. Their promising future was tragically cut short.

Friends and loved ones took to social media to mourn their loss. Facebook user Elliot Egari shared, “Dozie Okoye would sacrifice anything to make you happy if it was within his reach. I’m deeply pained that help didn’t come your way.”

Joan’s classmates also expressed their sorrow. One friend wrote, “Please answer me. Please like my comment, I beg you. My body is weak since I heard you are no more.”

The tragedy sparked public outrage over Nigeria’s recurrent road disasters. Instagram user William Perry9410 lamented, “What should have been years of memories, laughter, and family has ended in heartbreak. Not because of fate, but because Nigeria failed you, like it has failed so many others.”

Safety expert Emmanuel Bernard called for urgent reforms to prevent further tragedies. “There must be strict regulations on gas transportation, periodic safety checks on tankers, and the use of remote sensors to detect leaks in real time,” he said.

Bernard also stressed the need for tighter traffic regulations, especially for vehicles carrying hazardous materials. “Too many lives have been lost at Otedola Bridge. We must stop blaming spiritual forces and start implementing real solutions.”

As families mourn and Nigerians demand change, the tragedy serves as yet another painful reminder of the country’s urgent need for improved road safety regulations and enforcement.