Fatal Truck Collision on Oshodi–Apapa Expressway
Two persons have been confirmed dead following a collision involving two fully loaded 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward axis of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, Mile 2, Lagos, on Thursday.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority disclosed this in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq. According to the agency, one of the victims was the driver of truck T-392 LA, while the second was a suspected trespasser found beneath one of the vehicles.
LASTMA stated that the driver was severely trapped inside the steering compartment of his truck and was extricated by its Rescue and Recovery Team. The second victim was retrieved from beneath one of the trucks after an intensive search conducted under strict safety protocols.
The agency noted that the recovery operation was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, whose technical support facilitated the complex rescue process. Security at the scene was maintained by officers of the Ilasa Police Division to ensure order and preserve evidence.
Following the evacuation of the remains by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, the incident was formally handed over to the Ilasa Police Division for further investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the crash.
Confirming the incident, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary findings indicated that one of the moving container trucks rammed into another stationary truck from behind due to excessive speed. He added that both the driver and his assistant were trapped in the cabin and were confirmed dead at the scene.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated the need for disciplined and responsible driving, particularly among operators of articulated vehicles. He stressed strict adherence to speed limits and safety regulations, especially during freight operations.
Recovery efforts were ongoing to evacuate the damaged trucks and restore normal traffic flow along the busy corridor. The incident occurred barely two days after a truck reportedly killed six persons along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway after losing its brakes and crashing into vehicles and bystanders at the Old Toll-Gate section.