At least 11 people sustained varying degrees of injuries following a multi-vehicle collision that occurred along the Interchange section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Saturday morning, marking a distressing incident on one of the busiest roads in the country.
According to a statement from Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesman for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the accident took place at approximately 7:30 am. The crash involved several vehicles and led to a significant traffic disturbance on the expressway.
Akinbiyi explained that the incident occurred when a Mazda bus collided with a truck that was attempting to maneuver into the premises of a private company located near the accident site. A Toyota Hiace bus, which was traveling behind, was unable to avoid the crash and subsequently lost control, colliding with the already involved vehicles. This chain of events created a hazardous situation for other vehicles on the road as well.
He further elaborated, stating, “The crash took place near the Cway Junction, just a few meters after the Heyden filling station at the interchange, an area notorious for heavy traffic at peak hours.”
Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene of the accident provided details on the sequence of events. According to them, the driver of the Mack truck was attempting to turn into the premises of the Cway company when the Mazda bus, which was traveling at an excessive speed and displaying impatience, collided with the truck. In a tragic turn of events, the driver of the Toyota Hiace bus, who had been following closely, was caught off guard upon seeing the accident ahead and lost control, subsequently crashing into the other vehicles involved.
Akinbiyi confirmed that 21 individuals were involved in the crash, which included 12 men and nine women. Of the 21 people, 11 victims—comprising eight men and three women—sustained injuries of varying severity. The injured were immediately attended to by emergency responders and were transported to Idera Hospital in Shagamu for medical treatment by personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The vehicles involved in the accident were identified as a Mazda bus (plate number SMK 554 YH), a Mack truck (plate number FNN 934 XA), and a Toyota Hiace bus (plate number KJA 995 XA). Emergency responders on the scene, which included TRACE officials, FRSC personnel, and police officers, worked diligently to clear the wreckage and assist the injured victims. Their swift action helped to minimize further delays on the already congested road.
As investigations continue, authorities are calling for more awareness regarding road safety, particularly in areas with high traffic volume. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safe driving practices, including maintaining an appropriate speed and following traffic regulations to prevent accidents and save lives.
