LASTMA swiftly responds as 40-foot truck crushes mini bus, injures female POS operator in Lagos

Stanley Ihedigbo

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed a devastating road traffic accident involving a heavily loaded 40-foot containerized articulated truck at Second Rainbow inward Oshodi, along the service lane beside the Police Tactical Team Station.

The tragic incident occurred after the driver of the articulated truck reportedly lost control of the vehicle while in motion, causing the massive truck to overturn violently onto a commercial mini shuttle bus and adjoining roadside business outlets.

According to preliminary findings by security operatives, the truck, which was conveying a fully loaded 40-foot container, suddenly veered off its lane before crashing into the commercial axis, leaving destruction and panic in its wake.

A female Point of Sale (POS) operator working under a roadside canopy sustained severe injuries to both legs during the accident. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and confusion as traders and commuters scampered for safety following the impact.

According to the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the injured woman was immediately rescued by officers of the Police Tactical Team stationed nearby and rushed to a medical facility for urgent treatment.

In response to the emergency, LASTMA operatives swiftly mobilized to the scene to manage traffic, coordinate rescue efforts and secure the affected corridor.

The agency worked in collaboration with security agencies and other emergency responders to restore order and prevent further disruption.

The driver of the articulated truck was promptly apprehended by LASTMA officials and handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Authorities also deployed a recovery tow truck to evacuate the overturned articulated vehicle and the damaged commercial bus from the scene.

Meanwhile, officers from the Orile-Iganmu Division of the Nigeria Police Force commenced documentation and preliminary investigations into the cause of the accident.

Despite the severity of the crash and the considerable damage recorded within the area, vehicular movement around the corridor remained largely uninterrupted due to the timely intervention and traffic management measures put in place by LASTMA personnel.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, reiterated the agency’s appeal to operators of articulated vehicles, fleet managers and logistics companies to ensure thorough mechanical inspections of heavy-duty trucks before embarking on journeys.

He stressed that critical safety components, especially braking systems, must be properly maintained to prevent avoidable tragedies on Lagos roads.

Bakare-Oki further warned that negligence in vehicle maintenance continues to pose serious threats to human lives, public infrastructure and road safety administration across the state, urging transport stakeholders to comply strictly with established safety regulations and operational standards.