Two Killed, 10 Injured in Fatal Ikorodu Road Crash
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
A fatal road accident on Ikorodu Road, Lagos, on Tuesday claimed the lives of an adult female and an eight-month-old baby, while 10 other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the crash occurred opposite Olabode House, between Anthony and Obanikoro, involving two commercial buses.
According to preliminary reports, a red Tata commercial bus travelling from Palmgroove towards Anthony was allegedly driven at excessive speed when it lost mechanical and directional control. The vehicle reportedly veered off its lane, broke through the median barrier and crashed into an oncoming Volkswagen commercial bus heading from Anthony towards Palmgroove.
The impact of the collision led to the instant death of an adult female passenger in the Volkswagen bus, while an eight-month-old female infant later died from injuries sustained in the accident.
LASTMA said its operatives, with the support of members of the public, promptly carried out rescue and recovery operations at the scene. Ten victims, including the drivers of both vehicles, were rescued from the wreckage. Six injured passengers were extricated from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were rescued from the Tata bus.
To prevent further accidents, LASTMA officials cordoned off the area and ensured the swift removal of the damaged vehicles, leading to the restoration of traffic flow along the affected section of Ikorodu Road.
The injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for urgent medical attention, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the remains of the deceased. Security personnel from the Ilupeju Police Division provided security during the rescue and recovery operations.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, particularly the mother of the infant, who also sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Describing the incident as tragic and avoidable, Bakare-Oki urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to adhere strictly to speed limits and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey. He stressed the importance of regular checks on critical vehicle components, including braking systems, warning that reckless driving poses serious risks to lives.
LASTMA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives through effective traffic management, rapid emergency response and continuous public sensitisation, while calling on all road users to make safety a top priority.
