A series of fatal accidents in Lagos on Monday left at least three people dead, including two students, in two separate locations.
The first tragedy occurred at the Ayetoro traffic light in Epe, where a truck suffered a brake failure, leading to a deadly chain of events. The truck collided with a commercial tricycle and a stationary Toyota Camry before veering off the road and crashing into the Ayetoro Market Complex. The incident claimed the lives of the tricycle driver and two students from Manpower Technical School, Epe.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the details of the crash, which took place around midday. LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, explained that the truck (DCG-TM-028) had been descending from Ita-Opo when it lost control due to a brake failure. “The truck collided with the tricycle (Marwa AGL 442 QC) and the Toyota Camry, which was stationary at the traffic light, before crashing into the market complex,” Bakare-Oki said.
LASTMA officials, along with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area and manage the aftermath. The bodies of the deceased were later taken to the Epe General Hospital Mortuary. Bakare-Oki also noted that efforts to clear the wreckage, including the removal of the Dangote truck, helped alleviate traffic congestion and ensured the safety of other road users.
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In a separate incident, another fatal crash occurred at Ijaye, near Abule-Egba, involving an LT Bus (FKJ 762 AD) and a Toyota Hiace Bus (MUS 154 YE), both of which had reportedly suffered brake failures. LASTMA personnel responded promptly, rescuing the driver and two passengers, who were then rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Additionally, LASTMA officers were able to rescue three individuals—two females and one male—from a multi-vehicle collision at Tsunami Bridge near Ketu. The crash, involving two Volkswagen commercial buses (LSD 483 CT and AGL 267) and a 10-tyre DAF truck, left the victims with varying degrees of injury. The injured were quickly transported to a local hospital, with security support from officers at Alapere Police Station.
In light of the incidents, Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, especially for braking systems. “Regular maintenance checks are crucial to preventing such calamitous incidents and saving lives,” he urged, calling on all motorists to ensure their vehicles are in optimal condition before setting out on any journey.