Tragedy struck on Thursday in Lagos as two separate road accidents along the Lekki-Epe Expressway claimed five lives and left five others injured, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The first accident occurred during the early hours of the day at Abijo Bus Stop, beneath the pedestrian bridge and heading inward Epe.
LASTMA explained that a Mitsubishi pickup van with registration number AKD 733 JM, reportedly speeding, lost control and collided with a piece of Craneburg Construction Company equipment lawfully parked by the roadside.
The impact was devastating, resulting in the death of four of the vehicle’s occupants, three men and one woman, whose bodies were recovered at the scene.
LASTMA confirmed that its operatives were able to successfully rescue three other female passengers who were trapped in the wreckage.
The survivors were quickly stabilised before being handed over to officers of the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force, who facilitated their transfer to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment and medical evaluation.
A second crash was reported later that night in the Frajend Group area, inward Bogije, also along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
In this instance, a Toyota Escort Jeep traveling at high speed crashed into a parked Dangote truck.
According to LASTMA, the SUV driver died on the spot, while two other passengers sustained serious injuries and were trapped inside the mangled vehicle.
The agency’s operatives undertook a delicate extrication process to free them.
The Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department at LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, stated that the injured victims were eventually rescued and placed under the care of officers from the Elemoro Police Division, who ensured their immediate transport to medical facilities for life-saving care.
Quoting the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Taofiq relayed the agency’s deep sorrow over the twin tragedies, describing the incidents as both “colossal and avoidable.”
“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this moment of unspeakable loss and anguish. It is our earnest prayer that the Almighty grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” Bakare-Oki said.
He also issued a stern warning to motorists, urging them to refrain from reckless driving, particularly speeding, which he identified as one of the leading causes of road fatalities.
“These deeply saddening occurrences serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that stem from the willful violation of established speed regulations,” he stated.
Bakare-Oki further noted that the Lagos State Government has made major investments in traffic control measures such as road signage, speed limiters, and high-visibility infrastructure, all designed to reduce the likelihood of such accidents.
“Motorists are hereby implored to abide by these measures, which are designed solely for the preservation of human life,” he added.
