-Deborah Akinyosoye
Tragedy struck in Lagos on Monday as separate fatal accidents claimed the lives of at least three people, including two students, in two different locations.
The first incident occurred at the Ayeyoro traffic light in Epe, where a truck, suffering a brake failure, crashed into a commercial tricycle and a stationary Toyota Camry car before veering off the road and crashing into the Ayetoro Market Complex. The collision resulted in the tragic deaths of the tricycle driver and two students from Manpower Technical School, Epe.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident took place around midday at Ayeyoro.
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the truck (DCG-TM-028) was descending from Ita-Opo when it lost control due to the 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.
LASTMA officials, with assistance from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), responded quickly to the scene to secure the area. The bodies of the deceased were later transferred to the Epe General Hospital Mortuary. Bakare-Oki also noted that efforts were made to clear the wreckage, including removing the truck, to ease traffic congestion and ensure safety for other road users.
In a separate incident, another fatal crash occurred at Ijaye, near Abule-Egba. The accident involved an LT Bus (FKJ 762 AD) and a Toyota Hiace Bus (MUS 154 YE), both of which were reportedly involved in a brake failure. LASTMA personnel acted swiftly, rescuing the driver and two passengers, who were then rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Additionally, LASTMA officers successfully rescued three individuals—two females and one male—from a multi-vehicle collision at Tsunami Bridge, near Ketu. The accident involved two Volkswagen commercial buses (LSD 483 CT and AGL 267) and a 10-tyre DAF truck, leaving the victims with varying degrees of injury. They were quickly transported to a local hospital for immediate care, with security support provided by officers from Alapere Police Station.
Bakare-Oki emphasized the importance of regular vehicle maintenance, particularly for braking systems, urging all motorists to ensure their vehicles are in optimal condition before embarking on any journey.
“Regular maintenance checks are crucial to preventing such calamitous incidents and saving lives,” he said.