Commercial Bus Catches Fire on Third Mainland Bridge, Causes Heavy Traffic

Commercial Bus Catches Fire on Third Mainland Bridge, Causes Heavy Traffic
LASTMA and fire service responded as traffic backed up to Adekunle
Lagos taskforce seized over 50 motorcycles in coastal road enforcement

A commercial bus was engulfed by fire on Monday along the Third Mainland Bridge near the University of Lagos Waterfront, heading towards the Iyana Oworo axis, causing severe traffic disruption.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the incident led to long delays for motorists, with traffic backing up as far as the Adekunle end of the bridge. Commuters were stranded for hours as emergency responders worked to bring the situation under control.

Confirming the development, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority said officers and fire service teams were immediately deployed to the scene to manage traffic and extinguish the blaze. LASTMA urged motorists on the bridge to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials while emergency operations were ongoing.

At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire had not been established. Authorities said investigations were underway to determine what triggered the incident. Traffic flow is expected to ease once the fire is fully extinguished and the burnt vehicle is removed from the bridge.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Taskforce has commenced a fresh enforcement exercise along the Lagos Calabar Coastal Road, targeting commercial motorcycle riders, traffic violators and illegal roadside structures.

During the operation, officials impounded more than 50 motorcycles and arrested 10 vehicles for various traffic related offences within the corridor. The enforcement exercise was made public on Sunday, February 1, 2026, through videos shared on social media by the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Jubril Gawat.

Bus Catches Fire on Third Mainland Bridge — Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos traffic, LASTMA, bus fire, UNILAG Waterfront, Lagos State Taskforce, road safety, traffic enforcement, Lagos roads

The videos showed taskforce operatives stopping commercial motorcyclists, dismantling makeshift roadside structures and enforcing traffic regulations along the coastal route. The state government said the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety, restore order and ease traffic flow in key areas of Lagos.