Four killed and seven injured in three separate Lagos road accidents

Four people died and seven others were injured in three separate road accidents in Lagos on Wednesday, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). The most severe incident resulted in four fatalities and six injuries, while the other two accidents caused one injury and no casualties, respectively. The agency confirmed the details in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The fatal crash took place at Berger Bridge, on the inward Eleko side of the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway. The crash featured a semi-trailer hauling a 20-foot container and a Toyota Hiace coach operating on the interstate. Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, stated that the agency received a distress call and immediately dispatched its response team from the Epe Base to the scene. Initial inquiries suggest the lorry was climbing the bridge at an unsafe velocity when it impacted the passenger vehicle. The truck driver attempted to avoid the collision but lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn onto the bus. Four grown men lost their lives on the spot, whereas six additional adult males suffered injuries of different severities.

Background

In addition to the fatal expressway crash, LASEMA reported two other accidents in different parts of Lagos. The initial incident took place around 4:09 a.m. in the vicinity of Vetland School, heading toward Agege Pen Cinema on Old Abeokuta Road. A vehicle bearing the plate KTU-940XT struck a solar lamp post, then drove onto the central divider, thereby blocking the flow of cars. Preliminary findings attributed this incident to reckless driving, though no casualties were recorded. LASEMA’s Tiger Team from C3 Base responded to the scene, deployed traffic diversion measures, and used its heavy-duty equipment, known as Elephant, to recover the truck. The vehicle was subsequently conveyed to Abattoir Police Station for investigation and safekeeping.

The final crash took place at the Lanre Bus Stop, traveling toward Igando on the LASU-Igando route. This specific incident featured a DAF lorry registered as SMK 795 XY and a Toyota Corolla with the plate AKD 169 EA. The authority stated that a stalled lorry on the other side of the thoroughfare had created a traffic jam. The DAF lorry, reportedly traveling in the wrong direction, crashed into the Corolla. The impact obstructed half of the road inward in Igando. The driver of the Corolla sustained a minor head injury and was taken to Igando General Hospital by an associate. LASEMA’s Beta Team from Igando Base responded to this incident.

Why it matters

The accidents highlight ongoing safety concerns on major Lagos transport corridors, particularly the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway and Old Abeokuta Road. The fatal crash at Berger Bridge resulted in the immediate loss of four lives and required coordinated efforts from multiple agencies to secure the scene and manage traffic. LASEMA, working with the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police Force, provided immediate care to the wounded and secured the crash locations. A private crane was secured to recover the overturned truck and container from the expressway to facilitate the safe extrication of the deceased. Traffic management measures were deployed to ensure safety along the corridor during the recovery operations, which were described as ongoing at the time of the statement. The other two incidents, while less severe, contributed to traffic disruptions in the Agege and Igando areas, requiring the deployment of specialized recovery equipment and police intervention to restore normal flow.

What happens next

The recovery operation for the overturned truck and container at Berger Bridge was ongoing, with traffic management measures in place to ensure safety. The lorry linked to the Agege collision was moved to the Abattoir Police Station for preservation and continued inquiry. Victims from all three crashes were taken to close medical facilities, such as Epe General Hospital and Igando General Hospital, for additional treatment. No specific future dates or pending judicial decisions were stated in the agency's report.