LAGOS, NIGERIA – A devastating multi-vehicle accident claimed the lives of at least three individuals and left three others injured on Sunday afternoon at Second Rainbow along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The tragic incident, which occurred around 4 p.m., involved an oil tanker, two commercial buses, a Honda car with registration number KTU223GH, and two commercial motorcycles, known locally as Okada.
Eyewitnesses reported that the accident was triggered when the tanker’s brakes failed, leading to a catastrophic collision with the other vehicles.
An anonymous eyewitness at the scene recounted the chaos, stating, “The truck suddenly lost control, crashed into a car and a commercial bus, and created confusion as bystanders rushed to rescue the victims. I saw four to six people being pulled from the wreckage.”
Authorities confirmed that the victims were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Two people were reported dead at the scene, while a third succumbed to injuries before receiving treatment.
A Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official from the Isolo Unit Command, speaking on the condition of anonymity, corroborated the eyewitness accounts, confirming the tanker driver’s loss of control due to a brake failure.
“The tanker hit a car and a commercial bus. Unfortunately, it led to multiple casualties,” the official stated.
The incident underscored the ongoing safety challenges on Nigeria’s busy roadways, where tanker-related accidents have been frequent due to mechanical failures or driver error.
The chaotic scene led to significant delays on the usually congested Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, further aggravating the situation for commuters.
Efforts were made to clear the roadway and restore traffic flow. Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the vehicles had been moved to ensure free movement. “We had to clear the wreckages immediately after securing the victims to prevent further disruption,” Bakare-Oki noted.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and LASTMA personnel were on hand to assist with emergency services and facilitate traffic management.
As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are expected to inspect the tanker to determine whether regulatory maintenance standards were adhered to and if negligence contributed to the mechanical failure.
The crash has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety standards for commercial vehicles and better driver training programs.
The recurrent nature of such accidents on Lagos’s roads has alarmed both residents and safety advocates, who emphasize the need for robust infrastructure and more stringent vehicle inspection procedures.
The identities of the deceased were yet to be disclosed as of press time, pending notification of their families. Meanwhile, the three injured individuals remain under medical care, with the extent of their injuries not publicly disclosed.
This latest tragedy highlights the urgent need for measures to prevent road accidents, which have become a grim reality for many in Nigeria’s bustling commercial hubs.
The government is urged to enhance regulatory oversight to avoid further loss of lives due to preventable road incidents.
