No fewer than 10 people have died, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a fatal road traffic crash along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred at about 8:05 p.m. on Sunday at Saapade Bridge and involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) truck and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM.
The spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun Sector Command, Afolabi Odunsi, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday.
Mr Odunsi said 18 people were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child.
According to him, 10 victims—nine adult males and one male child—lost their lives, while six others, including four adult males and two adult females, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt.
“A total of 18 persons were involved in the crash… Sadly, 10 persons lost their lives, while six sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he said.
Cause of the crash
The FRSC attributed the accident to speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving.
Mr Odunsi explained that the truck driver reportedly reversed on the highway after missing his route, while the speeding commercial bus attempted to squeeze through the limited space and crashed into the truck.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by speed violation, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving,” he said.
Rescue operation
The FRSC spokesperson said rescue teams promptly evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
He added that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, had taken custody of the damaged vehicles, while the accident scene had been cleared to restore the free flow of traffic.
FRSC urges caution
The Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, sympathised with the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Mr Ogunjobi also warned motorists, especially commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, speeding, dangerous driving and other traffic violations.
He urged road users to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes, noting that such precautions could prevent avoidable road crashes.
The latest tragedy comes months after a dispatch rider died in a collision involving a containerised articulated truck along the Ilupeju Bypass in Lagos, highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety and traffic violations across the country.
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