A driver lost his life in a tragic lone-vehicle accident on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos on Friday, prompting a swift rescue and recovery operation by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigeria Police Force.
The fatal incident occurred at Charity Bus Stop, inward Iyana Isolo, when a Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) reportedly lost control and overturned several times before coming to a stop.
According to a statement issued by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the impact of the crash was severe, resulting in the immediate death of the driver.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the Honda Pilot Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) involved in the incident suddenly lost control, causing it to overturn multiple times before coming to a devastating halt. The sheer magnitude of the impact led to the instantaneous death of the driver, whose body became trapped within the severely mangled remains of the vehicle,” the statement said.
LASTMA officials, who were on routine traffic monitoring duties around the Iyana Isolo axis at the time, responded quickly alongside officers from the Mosafejo Police Division to rescue the victim and secure the accident scene.
The agency stated that its personnel “responded expeditiously to the emergency” and, in collaboration with the police, “painstakingly extricated the deceased from the wreckage while simultaneously maintaining effective traffic control and preventing secondary collisions along the corridor.”
Following the recovery operation, officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) evacuated the victim’s remains to a public mortuary in line with public health regulations.
The wrecked vehicle was subsequently handed over to officers of the Mosafejo Police Division, who have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sadness over the loss of life and extended condolences to the deceased’s family.
He also urged motorists to exercise greater caution while driving, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours.
“Motorists are strongly urged to eschew reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, excessive speeding and every form of traffic infraction capable of precipitating avoidable tragedies on our roads,” Bakare-Oki said.
“The sanctity and preservation of human life must remain paramount in the conduct of every road user. No journey is so urgent as to justify compromising safety,” he added.
LASTMA reiterated its call for strict adherence to traffic laws and road safety regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and safeguard lives across Lagos roads.
