A tragic road accident has claimed the lives of three students of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, following a multiple-vehicle collision at Powerline Junction, before Aleje, inward Ikorodu Roundabout, on Friday.
According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the crash involved a tipper truck “heavily laden with sand,” a Toyota Corolla (SMK 42 AJ), an MPV bus, and four tricycles.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the tipper, which was travelling at high speed, suffered a mechanical brake failure, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle reportedly rammed into several other road users, leading to a devastating pile-up.
LASTMA operatives, supported by officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) from the Odongunyan Division and personnel from the Shagamu Police Division, quickly arrived at the scene to prevent further casualties.
Seven critically injured victims were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment, while the bodies of the three deceased students were evacuated and deposited at the General Hospital, Ikorodu mortuary.
All wrecked vehicles were subsequently cleared from the scene to restore the free flow of traffic.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and praying for divine strength to bear their loss. He also wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.
Bakare-Oki described the crash as “entirely avoidable,” lamenting the recurring issues of overspeeding, recklessness, and poor vehicle maintenance, especially defective braking systems, which he said continue to cause preventable deaths on Lagos roads.
He urged commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators to comply strictly with speed limits, conduct regular mechanical checks, and maintain discipline while driving to prevent further tragedies.
Reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to road safety, Bakare-Oki assured Lagos residents that the agency would continue to enforce traffic regulations and ensure rapid emergency response across the state.
The statement was signed by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.