Two people die in a Lagos truck collision along Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, highlighting urgent calls for road safety and responsible driving
Two individuals lost their lives on Thursday following a collision between two fully loaded 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward axis of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, Mile 2, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed.
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The agency’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, stated that one victim was the driver of truck T-392 LA, while the other was a suspected trespasser whose presence near the vehicles could not be immediately determined.
“The driver was severely trapped within the steering compartment of his truck, requiring painstaking extrication by our Rescue and Recovery Team.
The second deceased was carefully retrieved from beneath one of the trucks following an intensive search and recovery operation conducted under strict safety protocols,” LASTMA said in a statement.
Recovery efforts were conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), whose technical support was key to the operation.
Security at the scene was maintained by personnel from the Ilasa Police Division, ensuring evidence preservation and perimeter control.
“Upon the conclusion of on-site operations, LASTMA formally handed over the incident to the Ilasa Police Division, whose mandate includes investigating the causes of the tragic occurrence,” the statement added.
LASEMA confirmed the fatalities, noting that one truck had rammed into a stationary 40-foot container truck, trapping the driver and his assistant.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, said excessive speed was a contributing factor.
“The impact of the collision resulted in the driver and his motor boy being trapped inside the truck cabin. Despite ongoing rescue and recovery efforts, both victims were confirmed dead at the scene,” he said.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and urged drivers of articulated vehicles to adhere strictly to traffic regulations, maintain speed limits, and exercise heightened vigilance, especially during night-time operations.
The agency emphasised that responsible driving and compliance with road safety measures are critical to preventing avoidable tragedies.
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This incident comes just two days after another truck-related accident on the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway claimed six lives, underscoring growing concerns about road safety and freight operations on Lagos highways.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
