Four killed, four injured as truck rams commercial bus on Lekki–Epe Expressway

Chinedum Ukaegbu

Four passengers have lost their lives while four others sustained severe injuries in a tragic road accident involving a truck and a commercial mini bus along the Lekki–Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the fatal collision occurred over the weekend opposite Beechwood, Shapati, inward Ajah, along the busy corridor.

According to preliminary reports, the accident involved a HOWO articulated truck with registration number KNN 313 YL and a fully loaded Suzuki commercial mini bus popularly known as a “Korope.”

Investigations revealed that the truck driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle while it was in motion. The truck subsequently veered across the carriageway and rammed violently into the oncoming commercial bus conveying passengers.

According to the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Development, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the force of the collision resulted in the immediate death of four male passengers inside the mini bus, while four other occupants, two males and two females, sustained serious fracture injuries after becoming trapped in the mangled wreckage of the vehicle.

Officials of LASTMA who were on patrol in the area quickly mobilised to the scene of the accident and carried out rescue operations. With the assistance of other emergency responders and passersby, the officials painstakingly extricated the trapped victims from the severely damaged commercial bus.

The four critically injured victims were immediately rushed to Hamon Royal Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the bodies of the four passengers who died in the crash were evacuated from the scene and deposited at the Shency Hospital Morgue by an ambulance belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Security operatives from the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Elemoro Police Division were also present at the accident scene to maintain order and ensure the safety of rescue personnel and other road users during the emergency operation.

Authorities disclosed that the driver of the truck and his motorboy fled the scene shortly after the accident occurred.

The police have however assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the tragic crash.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.

He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured victims who are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Bakare-Oki commended the prompt response and collaborative efforts of emergency responders whose swift intervention helped rescue the trapped passengers.

He further urged motorists, particularly operators of articulated vehicles, to exercise caution on the roads, obey traffic regulations and adopt responsible driving habits in order to prevent avoidable road accidents across the state.

The Lekki–Epe Expressway is one of the busiest transport corridors in Lagos, serving thousands of commuters daily and linking several communities within the rapidly growing Lekki axis.