Two motorists narrowly escaped death yesterday after a 40-foot container truck fell near a flyover along the Oshodi-Murtala Muhammed Airport Road in Lagos.

The incident occurred around Afariogun, Oshodi, blocking the Oshodi-Apapa axis and forcing traffic bound for the airport to divert through Toyota-Apakun Bridge. Eyewitnesses told The Guardian that the truck, with registration number Abuja RBC 560 XE, was travelling at excessive speed and lost control while braking at an intersection.
Two cars behind the truck collided following the crash, but their occupants survived, reportedly due to the low speed at which they were travelling. The truck driver and his assistant fled the scene after the incident, while the affected vehicles were later evacuated by the police.

An eyewitness said the accident occurred around 7:00 a.m., leading to heavy traffic along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, with emergency responders
arriving more than an hour later to clear the obstruction.

An official, who requested anonymity, confirmed that no lives were lost. “The fall affected two cars heading towards the airport. The vehicles have been moved to Makinde Police Station. We do not know the content of the container,” the official said.

A source within the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) attributed the crash to human error, stating that the driver may have been fatigued or distracted. The official added that the truck’s tyres remained intact, ruling out a burst as the cause, and noted that investigations were ongoing while efforts continued to clear the road.

The General Manager of
LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to adhere to traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and remain vigilant, particularly during periods of reduced visibility.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment to road safety and efficient traffic management in Lagos State.
Emergency response agencies at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASTMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).