A devastating road accident occurred on Wednesday at around 2:15 am along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, killing 10 passengers, including three children. The fatal crash involved a fully loaded Toyota Sienna bus and a stationary SHACMAN truck parked on the highway near Abule-Osun, inward Iyana-Iba.
According to eyewitness accounts, the bus, which was traveling at high speed, collided with the parked truck from behind. The Toyota Sienna, with registration number BDG 342 FS, was carrying passengers from the eastern part of Nigeria, most likely heading toward Lagos. Unfortunately, due to excessive speeding, the driver was unable to avoid the truck, which had taken up a large portion of the road.
The SHACMAN truck, loaded with granite, had no visible registration number and had been parked improperly, occupying nearly half of the road. This left very little space for passing vehicles, creating a hazardous situation for oncoming traffic. Witness Anthony Ogah said that the bus seemed to have little to no time to react before slamming into the truck.
Of the 13 people onboard the bus, 10 died on the spot. Among the victims were three male adults, four female adults, two female children, and one male child. The remaining three survivors, two children and one adult woman, were rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care.
Sadly, one of the initial survivors, a female adult, later died at the hospital due to the severity of her injuries, bringing the total number of fatalities to 10. The two surviving children and one female adult are now being treated at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where they remain in critical but stable condition.
Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Permanent Secretary, Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed that the primary cause of the accident was excessive speeding on the part of the bus driver. The truck, which had been parked improperly with no visible safety warnings, also contributed to the tragic outcome. Oke-Osanyitolu stated that investigations revealed that the truck was left on the road, significantly reducing the carriageway space for moving vehicles. This situation, combined with the bus’s high speed, proved fatal.
Emergency responders, including LASEMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), were quick to arrive at the scene. They provided immediate medical attention to the injured passengers and transported them to the hospital for further treatment. Despite their efforts, the severity of the crash meant that most passengers could not be saved.
According to Oke-Osanyitolu, rescue teams worked through the early hours to clear the wreckage and ensure that no further accidents occurred due to the obstruction on the expressway. The swift response from both state and federal emergency services helped prevent the situation from escalating further.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing dangers of speeding and improper parking on busy highways like the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Authorities are urging drivers to exercise more caution and be vigilant when navigating highways. Excessive speeding has long been a leading cause of road accidents in Nigeria, with high-speed collisions often resulting in fatalities.
Additionally, the Lagos State government has reiterated the importance of road safety measures for both private and commercial drivers. Oke-Osanyitolu stressed that drivers must always observe speed limits and be mindful of road conditions, especially at night when visibility is reduced. Truck drivers, in particular, are advised to avoid parking on the road without appropriate warning signs or lights, as this can lead to serious accidents.
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway, a major route linking Lagos to the western part of Nigeria, is notorious for heavy traffic and frequent accidents. This tragic crash is a reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and improperly parked vehicles. As authorities continue their investigation, they hope that stricter enforcement of traffic laws will help reduce such fatal accidents in the future.
Emergency services have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, while also emphasizing the need for greater public awareness about road safety. With improved driver education and better enforcement of traffic laws, it is hoped that such tragedies can be avoided.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency is continuing its efforts to ensure that roads remain safe for all users, and they are urging drivers to follow safety protocols to prevent further loss of life.
