A devastating road tragedy unfolded early Wednesday morning along the ever-busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, when a speeding cement-laden truck with failed brakes slammed into multiple vehicles, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.
The horrifying crash, which occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. near the Sango-Ota Tollgate in Ogun State, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left six others with serious injuries. The truck, reportedly without a visible registration number, was en route from Sango-Ota when it lost control and careened into four other vehicles stuck in morning traffic.
According to Adekunle Ajibade, South-West Area Commander of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), the driver of the ill-fated truck was travelling at high speed when the vehicle’s braking system failed.
“The truck lost control and rammed into four other vehicles, crushing them beyond recognition,” Ajibade confirmed. “It was a chaotic and heartbreaking scene.”
Eyewitnesses at the scene described the sound of the impact as deafening, with mangled metal, shattered glass, and cries for help painting a grim picture. Emergency responders raced against time to extricate victims from the wreckage.
The three deceased victims, whose identities were not immediately released, were confirmed dead at the scene and later deposited at the morgue of Ifo General Hospital. The six injured individuals, some of whom sustained life-threatening injuries, are currently receiving treatment at the same hospital.
In the aftermath of the collision, TRACE officers worked swiftly to remove the wrecked vehicles and restore traffic flow on the expressway, which had been brought to a standstill.
Ajibade used the tragic incident to reiterate the importance of routine vehicle maintenance and responsible driving, particularly on major highways. “This accident could have been prevented,” he stressed. “We continue to urge drivers, especially those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy. Recklessness, speed, and mechanical negligence kill—and we are seeing that reality play out here again.”
Authorities have since launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the accident and to trace the ownership of the unregistered truck.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones and others pray for the recovery of the injured, this latest tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for stricter road safety compliance across Nigeria.
PIONEER NEWS 