Written by Olasunkanmi Akoni
A numerous articulated vehicle incident at Otedola Bridge near Secretariat, along the Lagos–Ibadan Motorway, early on Friday morning resulted in the verified death of at least one unidentified driver.
As of 9 a.m., the incident has momentarily impaired vehicle mobility and necessitated the immediate deployment of multi-agency emergency assistance.
Two heavy-duty trailers, one carrying granite and the other carrying sand, collided violently in the main event, which was allegedly caused by a careless struggle for right of way.
The driver of the sand-filled trailer was trapped by the powerful hit, which had disastrous results. He suffered catastrophic injuries and was later pronounced dead.
While conducting routine nighttime surveillance and incident monitoring, members of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Rescue Team skillfully freed the trapped victim. They then promptly transferred him to members of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), who took him to the General Hospital in Ikeja, where he was declared dead.
Surprisingly, the driver of the second trailer managed to escape unharmed after being saved alive.
In a related event, traffic congestion along the already weakened highway was made worse by another traffic incident that occurred about 50 meters from the main collision site. This incident involved a different trailer that was completely laden with flour losing stability and overturning.
Security personnel from the Alausa Police Division were quickly sent to the location to offer sufficient security cover, regulate crowds, and assist with continuing rescue and recovery efforts in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order and guarantee public safety.
When taken as a whole, the incidents blocked around 80% of the highway, necessitating the adoption of substantial traffic control and diversion measures.
In order to facilitate continuous travel towards Gbagada or Ojota with the least amount of disruption, drivers heading inward to Lagos from the Mowe, Kara Bridge, and Redemption Camp axis were rerouted via the Ojodu–Olole road, which connected Agidingbi, Coca-Cola, Secretariat, and 7-Up.
Speaking about the tragic event, Sola Giwa, the Governor’s Special Advisor on Transportation, called the crashes “deeply regrettable” and “largely preventable,” blaming impatience, lack of discipline, and drivers’ failure to yield properly on the freeway.
Giwa emphasized that in order to prevent such unnecessary deaths, drivers must strictly adhere to traffic laws and show consideration for one another.
As a result, he offered the driver’s family his deepest sympathies and prayed for strength to deal with the irreversible loss.
Giwa also commended the swift, coordinated and professional response of LASTMA operatives, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS personnel and security agencies in effectively managing the emergency.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its unwavering commitment to road safety and urged all motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty vehicles, to exercise restraint, professionalism and strict adherence to traffic laws in order to safeguard lives and property across the state.
