Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed two road crashes along the Lekki/Epe Expressway, which claimed five lives and left five others severely injured.
It said the crash was as a result of excessive speeding and gross negligence of traffic regulations. The first incident was during the early hours of yesterday at Abijo Bus Stop, precisely under the pedestrian bridge on the inward Epe corridor, where a Mitsubishi pick-up van bearing registration number AKD 733 JM, travelling at a break neck speed, lost control and crashed into a stationary Craneburg Construction Company equipment, lawfully parked.
In a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the colossal impact resulted in the death of four occupants.
LASTMA operatives successfully rescued three additional female occupants from the wreckage, stabilised and handed them over to officers of the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for onward transfer to nearby medical institutions for urgent care.
In an equally heart-rending but separate overnight incident, a Toyota Escort Jeep, also crashed into a parked Dangote truck in the Frajend Group axis, inward Bogije, along the same Lekki/Epe Expressway.
The collision resulted in the immediate death of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) driver, while two other passengers, injured and trapped inside the crushed vehicle, were meticulously rescued by LASTMA personnel.
Both survivors were immediately placed in the custody of officers from the Elemoro Police Division, who ensured their prompt conveyance to medical facilities for life-saving intervention.
The General Manager, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound grief and extended deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the accidents as colossal and avoidable tragedy.
“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this moment of unspeakable loss and anguish. We pray the Almighty God to grant them the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” Bakare-Oki remarked. He warned all motorists to desist from dangerous driving, particularly excessive speeding.
“These deeply saddening occurrences serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that stem from the wilful violation of established speed regulations. Lagos State Government has made substantial investments in traffic control infrastructure ranging from road signage and speed limiters to high-visibility furniture to mitigate such disasters.
Motorists are hereby implored to abide by these measures, which are designed solely for the preservation of human life,” he added.
Bakare-Oki also commended the LASTMA rescue teams for their rapid, professional and life-saving interventions, reinforcing the authority’s uncompromising commitment to road safety, emergency responsiveness, and the protection of all road users across Lagos.
He urged members of the public to report traffic-related emergencies, obstructions or accidents through LASTMA’s dedicated toll-free hotline: 0800 00 527 862. Timely reporting facilitates swift deployment of assistance and may prove pivotal in averting further loss of life.
LASTMA reaffirms its unrelenting resolve to enforce vehicular discipline, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and safeguard the motoring public through enhanced safety strategies and robust traffic management frameworks.
