No fewer than 10 people lost their lives while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal road crash that occurred on Sunday night at Sapade Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi.
According to the FRSC, the crash occurred at about 8:05 p.m. and involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) Dangote truck with an unknown registration number and a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus bearing registration number EKY 290 YM.
A total of 18 persons were involved in the accident, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child.
The corps said 10 victims—nine adult males and one male child—died in the crash, while six others, including four adult males and two adult females, sustained injuries. Two adult male occupants escaped unhurt.
Preliminary investigations by the FRSC attributed the crash to speed violation, dangerous driving and wrongful overtaking. The corps disclosed that the truck driver allegedly reversed on the highway after missing his route, creating a dangerous obstruction for oncoming vehicles.
According to the statement, the approaching Toyota Hiace bus, which was travelling at high speed, attempted to pass through the limited space left on the road but rammed into the reversing truck, leading to the devastating collision.
FRSC rescue personnel evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for treatment, while the bodies of those who died were deposited at the FOS Mortuary in Ipara.
The damaged vehicles have been handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, while arrangements were made to clear the wreckage from the highway.
Reacting to the incident, the Ogun State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, excessive speeding and other dangerous traffic violations.
“Missing a route is never an excuse for endangering the lives of other road users,” Ogunjobi said, urging drivers to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes.
He stressed that strict adherence to traffic rules remains essential to reducing avoidable road crashes and preventing needless loss of lives on Nigeria’s highways.