I write this with deep pain and gratitude—pain for the tragic loss of an honest and hardworking man, Rotimi Olaleye, and gratitude for a narrowly avoided tragedy that could have claimed my own life and that of my family.

Mr. Olaleye was not just a skilled and meticulous auto mechanic but also a devoted father who had single-handedly raised his children since his wife passed away five years ago. His clients, myself included, can attest to his diligence, integrity, and commitment to his craft. Although I met him less than a week before his untimely death, he left an indelible mark on me.

A New Mechanic, A New Trust

Our paths crossed on March 8, 2025, when I needed a reliable mechanic. A trusted car air conditioning technician, Mr. Akinola Ayeni, introduced me to him. From our very first meeting, Mr. Olaleye impressed me. He quickly identified critical issues with my vehicle, including a missing knot in the ABS wire, which my previous mechanic had carelessly ignored.

Instead of rushing to fix everything at once, he prioritized repairs honestly and told me some tasks would have to wait until Monday due to prior commitments. That level of transparency reassured me.

On Monday, he continued his work on my wife’s Highlander with meticulous attention to detail. Even though I had promised to bring my own car afterward, he refused to rush the process, ensuring that every repair was properly done before declaring the vehicle fit.

A Chain of Events That Changed Everything

On Tuesday morning, an accident on Otedola Bridge disrupted traffic, forcing my wife to return home. Meanwhile, Mr. Olaleye had spent over three hours traveling from Mowe to Berger, a journey that should have taken less than 30 minutes. He kept updating me until 6 PM, when he finally confirmed the car was ready.

When I asked if I could come over, he insisted on getting the car washed first. I tried to dissuade him, but he was adamant about delivering a thoroughly cleaned vehicle.

At 7 PM, he called to inform me that his apprentices had finished washing the car. I was ready to leave immediately, but a series of delays unknowingly saved our lives.

First, we waited a few minutes for my daughter, Ewaoluwa, a 500-level Chemical Engineering student, to return from a friend’s house. Then, my wife and daughter insisted on buying water from a supermarket where each bottle was ₦400 cheaper than stores closer to our home. I initially objected but eventually relented. That extra 10 minutes at the store made all the difference.

The Moment Everything Changed

As we approached Otedola Bridge, just 10 seconds away from where Mr. Olaleye was waiting, my wife suddenly noticed a truck that had lost control.

Instinct took over. I immediately veered off course toward CMD Road. Within seconds, the truck crashed, its tanker seal burst open, and the sky turned blue—a clear sign of a gas explosion.

Before the explosion, I had dialed Mr. Akin’s number, hoping he could warn Mr. Olaleye. The call was ringing when the fire erupted. A massive blast followed, engulfing the area in flames.

People behind me grew impatient. A woman even banged on my car, shouting, “Move! Move!” But I hesitated. I had a man down there.

Then, the ringing stopped.

I immediately called Mr. Ayeni, who was in Agidingbi. Before I could even explain, he asked, “Have you collected your car? Rotimi is waiting for you.”

His words shattered me.

I shouted, “There’s trouble at the workshop!” and raced back toward the scene.

A Heroic but Tragic End

By the time Mr. Ayeni and others arrived, they found Mr. Olaleye lying face down. His apprentices revealed that, as the truck crashed, he urged them to flee but refused to abandon my wife’s car.

He successfully turned his own car around, facing the workshop. But he couldn’t make it out alive.

I wept that night—a deep, painful cry that I hadn’t experienced in years.

Remembering a Good Man

In just three days, I had come to admire Mr. Olaleye’s skill, honesty, and dedication. His meticulous nature was second to none, and he truly cared about his clients.

If he had only picked up my last call, I would have begged him to run to safety. But he stayed true to his work, choosing to save a customer’s car over his own life.

Adieu, Mr. Rotimi Olaleye. Your life may have been cut short, but your integrity and selflessness will never be forgotten.

The Other Lives Lost

As I finished writing this, I received more tragic news. A Zenith Bank employee and his wife also died in the explosion. He had just resumed work from vacation and was driving home with his wife when the fire consumed them.

May their souls, along with all others lost in this tragedy, rest in peace.

Emergency Response: Lagos State’s Efforts and Shortcomings

The Lagos State emergency response team arrived swiftly, but it wasn’t enough. Only one fire truck arrived 15-20 minutes after the explosion. Once it ran out of water, it took another 15-20 minutes for a second truck to arrive.

By the time rescuers reached Mr. Olaleye, he was still breathing, but there was no immediate help. Had assistance arrived sooner, he might have survived.

Despite these challenges, the emergency team did well overall—clearing the site within 18 hours despite the danger of a gas explosion.

The Truck Company’s Response: Accountability vs. Responsibility

The truck belonged to Second Coming Gas Company. While their management visited the victims in the hospital and engaged with affected technicians, they could have done better.

Eyewitnesses reported that the truck was faulty before the crash. The driver was struggling to control it, likely attempting to reach a gas station. If the accident had occurred inside the station, the casualties could have been far worse.

The Gaps in Traffic Regulations

Incidents like this highlight serious gaps in traffic enforcement. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) must step up enforcement against reckless truck drivers.

Traffic laws in Lagos mainly target private car owners, while commercial vehicles and fuel tankers repeatedly violate regulations without consequences. If these agencies fully enforced their mandates, many avoidable tragedies—like the Otedola and Kara Bridge accidents—could be prevented.

Final Thoughts

This tragedy robbed us of good, hardworking people. But it also served as a harsh reminder of the fragility of life.

I can’t stop thinking about those few extra minutes that saved my family’s lives. A delayed daughter, a brief supermarket stop, a last-minute hesitation—all of it added up to a fateful twist that kept us just out of harm’s way.

To Mr. Rotimi Olaleye, the Zenith Bank couple, and all the other lives lost, may you rest in peace. Your stories will not be forgotten.

To the Lagos State Government, traffic authorities, and emergency response teams—do better. Lives depend on it.