Three unidentified individuals tragically lost their lives in a devastating accident involving two container trucks in Ita-Oluwo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Sunday. The incident, which also left others injured, occurred when one of the trucks lost control and veered off the main road.
Details of the Incident
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed in a statement that the accident involved an articulated truck carrying twin 20-foot containers. The truck reportedly lost control while in motion, crashing into a parked containerised truck. This collision led to the parked truck ramming into nearby roadside shops, causing extensive damage.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu:
“Following distress calls at 1:55 pm, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency activated the state’s Emergency Response Plans and Response Team from Agbowa. Upon arrival, LASEMA’s Lion Response Team discovered that an articulated truck, registration number unknown, conveying twin 20-foot containers laden to capacity, lost control in motion, veered off the main road, and rammed into a parked containerised truck, registration number unknown, which in turn crashed into some roadside shops at the above-mentioned location.”
The incident was attributed to recklessness by the driver of the articulated truck. The crash resulted in the recovery of three adult male bodies, one injured individual, and another person reportedly missing, according to LASEMA’s preliminary report.
Further Updates from LASTMA
In a separate statement, Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), provided additional details, stating that two individuals were rescued from the wreckage and two others were confirmed dead. The injured survivors were promptly taken to the General Hospital in Ikorodu for medical care.
Taofiq revealed that the cause of the incident was linked to a brake failure:
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the loaded container truck suffered a brake failure while allegedly attempting to evade a revenue collector in pursuit. This mechanical failure triggered a catastrophic chain of events, including collisions with other vehicles and damage to nearby buildings.”
Emergency Response and Scene Management
LASTMA’s rapid response, in collaboration with LASEMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Lagos Fire Service, and personnel from the Nigerian Army’s 174 Battalion, played a critical role in rescue and recovery efforts. The accident scene was cordoned off to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency operations.
The General Manager of LASTMA extended condolences to the families of the deceased and praised the heroic efforts of the rescue teams. He also wished the injured survivors a swift recovery and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to ensuring road safety across Lagos.
Ongoing Efforts and Safety Advisory
Efforts to clear the accident scene are currently underway. LASTMA officials are working diligently to remove the trucks and restore normal traffic flow in the affected area. The agency urged road users to exercise caution and adhere strictly to traffic regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The tragic accident at Ita-Oluwo underscores the critical importance of vehicle maintenance and adherence to traffic regulations. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and have reiterated their commitment to improving road safety across Lagos State. Families of the victims and survivors are being supported as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
