No fewer than five people were confirmed dead and five others seriously injured on Thursday following two separate accidents along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos State.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accidents—both attributed to excessive speeding and disregard for traffic regulations—occurred at different times on the same day.
The first crash happened in the early hours at Abijo Bus Stop, directly under the pedestrian bridge on the inward Epe corridor. A Mitsubishi pick-up van, with registration number AKD 733 JM, reportedly lost control at high speed and rammed into a stationary Craneburg Construction Company equipment lawfully parked by the roadside.
The impact was fatal. Four occupants of the van—three males and one female—died instantly. LASTMA officials at the scene rescued three other female passengers from the wreckage and handed them over to officers of the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force, who facilitated their transfer to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Later that night, another horrific incident unfolded near the Frajend Group axis, inward Bogije. A Toyota Escort Jeep, also allegedly speeding, collided forcefully with a stationary Dangote truck.
The SUV driver died on the spot, while two severely injured passengers were trapped in the mangled vehicle. LASTMA operatives undertook a careful rescue operation to extricate them before transferring them to the custody of officers from the Elemoro Police Division for emergency medical care.
Confirming both accidents, LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofik described the incidents as “catastrophic” and blamed them squarely on dangerous driving behaviours.
The agency’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He labelled the twin tragedies “avoidable” and warned that reckless disregard for speed limits and traffic rules remains a leading cause of road fatalities in the state.
“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this time of immense grief. May the Almighty grant them the strength to bear these painful losses,” he stated.
Mr. Bakare-Oki further appealed to all road users—private and commercial—to avoid speeding and strictly adhere to road safety regulations, adding that the Lagos State Government has invested significantly in signage, speed-limiting devices, and other safety infrastructure.
“These tragedies underscore the critical importance of compliance with speed regulations. Lives are being lost unnecessarily due to recklessness,” he said.
The LASTMA boss also praised his rescue teams for their swift and professional response, reinforcing the Authority’s commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos roads.
He urged members of the public to promptly report road obstructions, crashes, or emergencies via the LASTMA toll-free hotline: 0800 00 527 862, stressing that rapid reporting can often make the difference between life and death.
“LASTMA remains dedicated to enforcing road discipline, enhancing inter-agency collaboration, and deploying proactive strategies to protect lives on our highways,” he added.