The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a tragic road traffic accident that occurred earlier today along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, opposite Olabode House, between Anthony and Obanikoro.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a red Tata long commercial bus, travelling at excessive speed from Palmgroove towards Anthony, suffered a loss of control due to suspected mechanical failure. The vehicle veered off its lane, crashed through the median barrier, and collided head-on with a Volkswagen commercial bus conveying passengers from Anthony towards Palmgroove.
The impact of the collision was fatal. An adult female passenger died instantly, while an eight-month-old baby girl later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash. The devastating loss has cast a pall of grief over the affected families and the wider community.
LASTMA operatives, working swiftly alongside concerned members of the public, immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation. Ten passengers, including the drivers of both vehicles, were successfully rescued from the wreckage with varying degrees of serious injuries. Six victims were extricated from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were rescued from the Tata bus.
To prevent secondary accidents, LASTMA personnel promptly secured the scene, cleared the damaged vehicles from the roadway, and restored free traffic flow along Ikorodu Road.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. Officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) respectfully evacuated the remains of the deceased, while officers from the Ilupeju Police Division provided security throughout the rescue and recovery operation.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families, especially the mother of the deceased infant, who also sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Describing the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers of reckless driving, Bakare-Oki urged motorists—particularly commercial drivers—to exercise caution, adhere strictly to speed limits, and ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles before embarking on any journey.
He emphasized that routine checks of critical components, especially braking systems, are essential, warning that negligence and overspeeding continue to pose grave threats to lives on Lagos roads.
The LASTMA boss concluded by offering prayers for the repose of the departed, the speedy recovery of the injured, and divine strength for the affected families, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to preventing such tragedies through enforcement and public safety advocacy.
