By: Manoah kikekon
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Accident scene on Lagos-Badagry Expressway |
Eight people lost their lives earlier today Sunday after a 16-seater commercial bus smashed into a DAF truck along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The ghastly accident, which occurred near Atura Bus Stop, also left eight other passengers severely injured, fighting for their lives in the hospital.
According to the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Taofiq Adebayo, the driver of the ill-fated Mazda bus (registration number KJA 811 YF) was speeding excessively while attempting to negotiate a bend.
The bus veered out of control, leading to a head-on collision with the truck (marked T1 4636 LA). The impact was so severe that eight victims, including the bus driver and conductor, died instantly.
LASTMA officials, alongside the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), police officers from the Morogbo Division, and soldiers from the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army (Ibereko Barracks), swiftly mobilized to the scene.
The joint team worked tirelessly to extract survivors from the mangled wreckage. The injured were rushed to Badagry General Hospital for emergency treatment.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who visited the crash site, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy.
"This heartbreaking incident underscores the dangers of reckless driving. Speed kills, and today’s avoidable disaster is a painful reminder for all motorists to prioritize safety,"* he stated.
Bakare-Oki urged commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators to adhere to speed limits, maintain their vehicles properly, and exercise caution especially on high-risk routes like the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The GM reiterated LASTMA’s shift from mere traffic control to proactive incident management, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda. He highlighted ongoing efforts to install speed-limiting devices at accident-prone zones across Lagos to curb speeding-related fatalities.
LASTMA commended the collaborative efforts of FRSC, the police, and the military in managing the crisis. The agency also appealed to all road users to remain vigilant, avoid speeding, and respect traffic regulations to prevent further tragedies.
As investigations continue, families of the deceased mourn their loved ones, while survivors battle for recovery. This tragic incident serves as yet another wake-up call for stricter enforcement of road safety laws in Nigeria.