The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced with profound sorrow and grave solemnity, the occurrence of a ghastly and fatal road traffic collision that unfolded earlier today along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, precisely opposite Olabode House, after Anthony and before Obanikoro.
Preliminary findings indicate that a red long Tata commercial bus propelled at an excessive and perilous velocity from Palmgroove inward Anthony, suddenly lost mechanical and directional control. In a catastrophic sequence of events, the bus veered off its lane, violently breached the median barrier and careened into the opposing carriageway, where it forcefully collided with a moving Volkswagen commercial bus conveying passengers from Anthony toward Palmgroove.
The sheer violence of the impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger aboard the Volkswagen bus, while an eight-month-old female infant tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision. The untimely and heartrending loss of such tender and innocent lives has plunged the entire corridor and indeed the wider community into profound mourning.
In a display of exceptional professionalism, promptness and operational dexterity, LASTMA operatives supported by well-meaning members of the public, immediately activated a coordinated rescue and recovery operation. A total of ten (10) victims, including the drivers of both vehicles were successfully extricated from the mangled wreckage, all sustaining varying degrees of serious injuries. Six (6) trapped passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen commercial bus, while four (4) others were evacuated from the red Tata bus.
To avert secondary collisions and safeguard other road users, LASTMA personnel swiftly secured and cordoned off the entire accident scene and efficiently evacuated the wrecked vehicles from the expressway thereby restoring seamless vehicular flow along the main carriageway of Ikorodu Road.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) promptly transported the injured victims to nearby medical facilities for immediate and comprehensive medical attention, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) respectfully recovered and evacuated the remains of the deceased infant and adult female. Security operatives from the Ilupeju Police Division provided indispensable security coverage throughout the duration of the rescue and recovery exercise.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families, with particular empathy extended to the distraught mother of the deceased infant, who also sustained severe injuries and is presently undergoing medical treatment.
He described the incident as a collective moment of grief for parents and all people of conscience, offering fervent prayers for divine consolation for the bereaved and speedy recovery for the ten injured victims.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further seized the occasion to issue a stern and unequivocal warning to all motorists especially commercial drivers to exhibit utmost restraint, heightened vigilance and unwavering compliance with stipulated speed limits.
He emphasized the non-negotiable necessity of routine vehicle roadworthiness assessments, particularly of braking systems, prior to embarking on any journey within or beyond Lagos State, cautioning that recklessness on the road remains a deadly menace with irreversible and devastating consequences.
The General Manager concluded by praying that Almighty God, in His infinite mercy, grants fortitude to the bereaved families, restores health to the injured and forestalls the recurrence of such tragic incidents on Lagos roads.
LASTMA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the preservation of lives through proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response and sustained public enlightenment, while urging all road users to uphold safety as an inviolable priority.
Adebayo Taofiq
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA
