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By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, Lagos — A somber atmosphere has enveloped the Badagry community following a horrific road traffic accident on Monday, February 23, 2026, which claimed the lives of a traffic officer and two commercial motorcyclists. The incident, involving a cement-laden Dangote truck, occurred at the ever-busy Badagry Roundabout, leaving commuters and residents in a state of shock.
The tragedy struck at approximately 9:45 a.m. as the heavy-duty vehicle, reportedly struggling with mechanical failure, careered out of control while approaching the junction. Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing moment the truck ploughed into a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official who was actively managing traffic, alongside two motorcyclists waiting for passengers nearby.
“The truck hit the LASTMA staff on official duty and two cyclists waiting to carry passengers,” an official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps (LSNC) reported. The witness added that while the driver attempted to maneuver the vehicle to minimize casualties, the momentum of the cement-laden truck proved too great to avoid the fatal collision.
Following the crash, a combined team of responders from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), LASTMA, the Nigeria Police, and the NSCDC arrived to secure the scene and restore order to the expressway. Mr. Yusuf Sanni, the Unit Commander of the FRSC, confirmed the fatalities and noted that the victims' remains have been deposited at a local hospital mortuary.
The driver of the truck was immediately apprehended by security operatives. CSP Folajimi Agosile, the Divisional Police Officer of the Badagry Police Station, confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody. “He will be arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court after investigations are concluded,” Agosile stated, emphasizing that the police are treating the case with the utmost priority.
This latest incident has reignited a heated debate regarding the safety of articulated vehicles on Lagos roads. Road safety advocates have frequently called for stricter enforcement of vehicle maintenance protocols, particularly for heavy-duty trucks transporting construction materials.