David Oladimeji
A devastating road accident on Ikorodu Road has left an eight-month-old baby and an adult female dead, plunging the local community into grief and shock. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, which occurred earlier today opposite Olabode House, between Anthony and Obanikoro.
According to preliminary reports, a red Tata commercial bus traveling from Palm Groove toward Anthony at excessive speed suddenly lost mechanical and directional control. In a catastrophic turn, the bus veered across the median barrier and collided head-on with a Volkswagen commercial bus moving in the opposite direction toward Palmgroove.
The impact of the collision was immediate and brutal. An adult female passenger on the Volkswagen bus was pronounced dead on the spot, while an eight-month-old female infant tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash. Witnesses described the scene as “chaotic and heartrending,” with rescuers working urgently to pull survivors from the wreckage.
LASTMA operatives, demonstrating swift action and professionalism, coordinated a rapid rescue operation, supported by concerned members of the public. A total of ten passengers, including the drivers of both vehicles, were successfully extricated. Many of the victims sustained serious injuries but were stabilized thanks to the prompt response.
Six passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were pulled from the red Tata commercial bus. The efficient extrication prevented further loss of life, underscoring the importance of well-trained traffic response teams on Lagos roads.
To prevent secondary accidents and protect other road users, LASTMA personnel quickly secured the accident scene. The wrecked vehicles were removed from the expressway, restoring traffic flow along the busy Ikorodu Road corridor.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the injured to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Meanwhile, officials from the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) carefully recovered the remains of the deceased infant and adult female, ensuring dignified handling of the victims.
Security operatives from the Ilupeju Police Division provided continuous coverage throughout the rescue and recovery operations, maintaining order and assisting with crowd control. Their presence ensured that the emergency teams could work efficiently without interference.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound sorrow over the incident. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, particularly the distraught mother of the infant, who also sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
Describing the accident as “a collective moment of grief for parents and all people of conscience,” Mr. Bakare-Oki offered prayers for divine consolation for the bereaved and swift recovery for the injured. He emphasized the emotional toll of such tragic events on families and the community at large.
The LASTMA chief seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to motorists, especially commercial drivers, urging them to exercise restraint, observe speed limits, and prioritize road safety at all times. Reckless driving, he stressed, remains a lethal threat to lives and livelihoods.
He further highlighted the critical need for routine vehicle maintenance, particularly of braking systems, before embarking on any journey within Lagos State. Mechanical failure, combined with over-speeding, continues to be a major cause of road fatalities across the metropolis.
The General Manager urged road users to treat safety as a non-negotiable priority, reminding the public that prevention is always better than cure. “Every life lost on the road is a tragedy that could have been avoided with vigilance and care,” he noted.
Mr. Bakare-Oki prayed for strength and fortitude for the bereaved families, restoration of health for the injured, and protection for all road users. He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to preserving lives through proactive traffic management and rapid emergency response.
LASTMA continues to call on the public to embrace responsible driving, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and support efforts to make Lagos roads safer for everyone. The authority reminded Lagosians that road safety is a shared responsibility, requiring vigilance, discipline, and empathy for fellow commuters.
