Nigeria, Dec. 26 -- Two people were killed early Thursday after a diesel-laden tanker exploded along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have said.

The explosion occurred at the Oto-Ijanikin axis, near the Lagos State University of Education, after the tanker reportedly lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle.

In a statement posted on its official X account, LASTMA stated that preliminary investigations indicated excessive speed was a contributing factor to the crash.

"The tanker driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while attempting to overtake another road user," the statement said.

"The vehicle subsequently crashed and erupted into a raging infer...