Tragedy struck on Sunday, November 3, 2024, when a multiple-vehicle accident on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway resulted in the death of an adult male and left several others injured. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, which occurred at Ile-Epo Bus Stop, Oko-Afa.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, provided details of the accident. “The agency, in response to distress calls through the 767 and 112 toll-free lines at 09:33hrs, activated its emergency response team from Igando base. Upon arrival at the incident scene, it was discovered that several cars were involved in a multiple accident,” he said.
The accident involved a fully laden truck, a white Toyota Hummer bus owned by Cross Country Transport, a Volkswagen commercial bus, and a Nissan car. According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “The accident involved a fully laden truck, registration number FFF 754 XB, a white Toyota Hummer bus, registration number MUS 210 YJ, laden to capacity with passengers, a Volkswagen commercial bus, registration number LSR 166 YE, and a Nissan car, registration number unknown.”
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway is a major route in Lagos, notorious for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. The road is a critical link between Lagos and neighboring countries, making it one of the busiest highways in Nigeria. Over the years, the expressway has seen numerous accidents, often attributed to reckless driving, poor road conditions, and overloading of vehicles.
In this latest incident, preliminary investigations revealed that the accident was caused by reckless driving on the part of the truck driver, who lost control at high speed, resulting in a crash into the three affected vehicles. “Further investigations revealed that the incident occurred as a result of reckless driving on the side of the truck driver who lost control at high speed, resulting in a crash into the three affected vehicles,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
Emergency responders, including officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were quick to the scene, providing first aid and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. “Several other injured persons were rushed to nearby hospitals by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps,” Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed. The deceased’s body was deposited in the morgue before the arrival of LASEMA’s response team.
