A tragic accident involving a 40-foot container-laden truck brought chaos to the busy Cele Expressway, inward Oshodi, Lagos, on Saturday, claiming one life and leaving five others seriously injured.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the deadly crash involved the articulated truck, five commercial buses, and two private vehicles—a Toyota Camry and a Toyota Sienna. According to preliminary findings, the container truck suffered a devastating brake failure while speeding, causing the driver to lose control.
Witnesses described a horrifying scene as the two massive containers detached from the truck and came crashing down onto surrounding vehicles. A pedestrian was instantly killed, while five individuals—including drivers and passengers—sustained varying degrees of injuries. One commercial bus driver was said to have suffered compound fractures to both his arm and leg, highlighting the severity of the impact.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) swiftly arrived at the scene, providing immediate first aid before rushing the injured to the General Hospital in Isolo. Officers from LASTMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and concerned citizens worked in tandem to rescue victims, clear the wreckage, and ease the ensuing traffic gridlock.
The Ijesha-Tedo Police Division also deployed personnel to maintain law and order as panicked commuters watched in shock.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the bereaved family. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
“This tragedy is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by poorly maintained articulated vehicles. The safety of every road user must remain our collective priority. We cannot afford to continue losing lives due to preventable mechanical failures and reckless driving,” Bakare-Oki lamented.
He further called for rigorous enforcement of mechanical inspections and stricter regulatory oversight on trucks transporting heavy cargo across Lagos roads.
An investigation has been launched to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the accident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
As Lagosians grapple with yet another avoidable road tragedy, urgent questions arise once again about the safety standards governing haulage operations in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
PIONEER NEWS 