An accident scene
A devastating crash on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos left five people dead and five others injured in two separate road accidents, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The crashes, attributed to reckless speeding, have reignited calls for stricter adherence to traffic regulations.
The first incident occurred in the early hours at Abijo Bus Stop, under a pedestrian bridge on the Epe-bound corridor. A Mitsubishi pick-up van, registered as AKD 733 JM, was traveling at excessive speed when it lost control and slammed into stationary equipment owned by Craneburg Construction Company.
The impact was catastrophic, claiming the lives of four occupants—three men and one woman—who were pronounced dead at the scene.
LASTMA operatives worked swiftly to rescue three female survivors trapped in the wreckage of the van. “Our team acted promptly to stabilize the injured and ensure they received immediate attention,” said Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment.
The survivors were handed over to officers from the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force, who facilitated their transfer to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
In a second tragedy overnight, a Toyota Escort Jeep, also speeding, crashed into a stationary Dangote truck near the Frajend Group axis, heading toward Bogije. The collision killed the SUV’s driver instantly, while two passengers sustained severe injuries.
LASTMA personnel conducted a meticulous rescue operation to free the trapped victims, who were then transferred to the Elemoro Police Division for immediate medical evacuation.
Taofiq emphasized the coordinated response, noting, “Our priority was to save lives and ensure the injured received prompt care.”
Both survivors are now receiving treatment at local medical facilities, where they are undergoing further evaluation.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the incidents, calling them “a colossal and avoidable tragedy.”
He extended condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “We share in the grief of those who have lost loved ones. May they find strength to endure this heartbreaking loss.”
Bakare-Oki urged drivers to shun excessive speeding, a leading cause of fatal accidents on Lagos roads.
“These tragedies are stark warnings of what happens when drivers ignore speed regulations,” Bakare-Oki warned.
“We implore motorists to respect these measures, which exist to protect lives.” LASTMA has vowed to intensify enforcement and public awareness to prevent future losses on Lagos roads.
