Six worshippers lost their lives on Monday night after a truck loaded with sharp sand rammed into a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) branch in the Epe area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. along Hospital Road, shortly after the church had concluded its evening service. Although many congregants had left, some worshippers were still inside the auditorium praying and preparing to depart when the heavy-duty vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the building.
Residents said the truck lost control while descending toward a nearby roundabout before plunging into the church and trapping people inside.
An eyewitness, Tinu Oduwale, told Daily Post that the driver began shouting and honking after realising the truck’s braking system had failed. She said he tried to avoid hitting vehicles and pedestrians at the junction but ended up crashing into the church.
Another resident, identified as Sanjo, said the victims were caught unawares while still praying inside the church. He added that the casualty figure could have been much higher if the incident had occurred earlier during the service.
Emergency responders later confirmed multiple casualties, while those injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other security agencies were deployed to the scene to carry out rescue operations.
It was gathered that the truck driver fled the scene shortly after the crash.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said six worshippers died in the incident. She added that the truck was unregistered, the driver is currently at large, and the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue as investigations continue.