Gladness Gideon
A tragic road accident occurred in the early hours of Sunday along Old Ipaja Road by Agbotikuyo, Lagos, when a 40-foot containerized truck lost control and crushed a commercial minibus, killing the driver on the spot and leaving three others injured.
According to a statement released on X (formerly Twitter) by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the incident involved a Mack truck with registration number MUS 729 XY, which reportedly suffered a catastrophic brake failure, leading to the vehicle toppling over onto the minibus, popularly known as “Korope.”
Officials confirmed that three passengers—two women and one man—were rescued unhurt by LASTMA operatives stationed in the vicinity. The survivors were handed over to emergency medical responders for immediate treatment.
The fallen truck blocked over 50% of the roadway, causing a heavy traffic gridlock that extended to surrounding routes, including Shofunde and Olufunlayo streets. LASTMA officers swiftly implemented diversion strategies to ease the congestion and restore vehicular movement.
The driver of the truck, who allegedly attempted to flee the scene, was apprehended by LASTMA officials and handed over to officers from the Elere and Area ‘G’ Police Divisions, who arrived at the scene following swift notification by the traffic agency.
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Emergency personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), and the Nigeria Police Force worked in coordination with LASTMA to secure the site, recover the remains of the deceased, and clear the wreckage.
Speaking on the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and urged articulated vehicle operators to ensure mechanical soundness, especially their braking systems, before hitting the road.
“Truck operators must adhere strictly to safety protocols. It is non-negotiable that every articulated vehicle undergo thorough mechanical inspection—especially the braking systems—before venturing onto our roads. Preventable tragedies like this underscore the need for unwavering compliance,” Giwa said.
He further reiterated the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to road safety enforcement and the prevention of avoidable traffic-related deaths.