No fewer than ten people have been confirmed dead, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal road traffic crash along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway in Ogun State.
The accident occurred at about 8:05 p.m. on Sunday at Saapade Bridge and involved a white Sinotruk truck and a Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number EKY 290 YM.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun Sector Command, Afolabi Odunsi, said a total of 18 people were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child.
Odunsi said ten victims, including nine adult males and one male child, lost their lives, while six others, made up of four adult males and two adult females, sustained injuries. He added that two adult males escaped the crash unhurt.
According to him, preliminary findings indicated that excessive speed, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving were responsible for the fatal collision.
He explained that the truck driver allegedly reversed on the highway after missing his route, while the approaching bus, travelling at high speed, attempted to pass 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. The truck reportedly reversed on the highway after missing its direction, while the bus rammed into it while attempting to navigate through the narrow space available,” Odunsi said.
The FRSC spokesperson disclosed that rescue personnel responded promptly to the scene, evacuating 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 from the Ishara Division had taken custody of the damaged vehicles, while arrangements were made to clear them from the highway to restore free flow of traffic.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“Motorists, especially commercial drivers and truck operators, must avoid reversing on highways, speeding and other dangerous traffic violations. Road users should always obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and make use of designated turning points whenever they miss their routes. These precautions can save lives and prevent avoidable tragedies,” Ogunjobi said.
