The bustling Ikorodu corridor was thrown into mourning on Monday after a ghastly accident at the Idi-Iroko inward Ogolonto stretch claimed one life and left two others fighting for survival.
What began as another hectic Lagos evening commute quickly turned into a scene of chaos as a commercial Mazda bus and a heavy-duty truck collided violently, leaving behind mangled metal, shattered glass, and a crowd of stunned onlookers.
According to preliminary investigations, the ill-fated Mazda bus, bearing registration number LND 490 SD, was engaged in a reckless bid for right of way while approaching from the Agric axis. Its dangerous maneuver ended in disaster when it slammed into a fast-moving truck with registration number EKY 121 YJ.
The crash’s most heart-wrenching moment came when a passenger, seated precariously at the doorway of the bus, was flung out on impact. In a cruel twist of fate, he landed directly beneath the rear tyres of the truck and was crushed instantly.
Commuters who witnessed the horrific sight said panic gripped the area, with screams piercing through the usual din of Lagos traffic. Some passersby rushed to help, while others were frozen by the tragedy that unfolded before them.
Two other passengers, a man and a woman, were left severely injured but alive. Their survival is credited to the swift intervention of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), whose operatives wasted no time in springing into action.
The victims were carefully extricated from the wreckage before being handed over to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). They were immediately transported to Ikorodu General Hospital, where doctors are battling to stabilize them.
The deceased, meanwhile, was covered with a white cloth as traffic slowed to a crawl. Police officers later took custody of his remains before handing him over to his grieving family.
To ensure order, personnel from the Owutu Police Division reinforced LASTMA’s efforts, providing a security shield around the crash scene and keeping anxious crowds at bay.
LASTMA officials also worked to restore traffic flow on the ever-busy corridor. The two accidented vehicles—the wrecked Mazda bus and the truck—were eventually towed away, clearing the road for the long line of stranded vehicles.
Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager of LASTMA, described the incident as a “painful loss” and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He lamented that such tragedies continue to occur due to motorists’ impatience and recklessness.
“This is another reminder that caution and patience save lives,” he stressed. “Motorists must resist the urge to outcompete one another on the highways. No destination is worth the life of a human being.”
He urged Lagos drivers, particularly those plying congested corridors such as Ikorodu Road, to uphold discipline, restraint, and civic responsibility, warning that traffic laws exist not as punishments but as safeguards.
The LASTMA boss further reminded members of the public that in the event of emergencies, accidents, or distress, they can reach the agency through its toll-free hotline, 080000527862, which is available around the clock.
Coming barely a day after another fatal road mishap in Lagos, this fresh tragedy underscores the fragility of life on the city’s dangerous highways—where one moment of recklessness can turn an ordinary journey into a story of grief and survival.
