Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed two people died after two fully loaded 40-foot container trucks collided on the Cele inward axis of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Mile 2, Lagos, on Thursday.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq, said in a statement that one fatality was the driver of truck T-392 LA, while the other was a suspected trespasser with unclear connection to the vehicles.
“The driver was severely trapped within the steering compartment of his truck, requiring painstaking extrication by our Rescue and Recovery Team.
“The second deceased was carefully retrieved from beneath one of the trucks following an intensive search and recovery operation conducted under strict safety protocols,” the statement read.
The recovery operation, which involved collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, was successfully concluded with specialised technical support playing a crucial role.
Security at the scene was handled by Ilasa Police Division personnel, who maintained perimeter control and preserved evidence.
“Further exemplifying robust inter-agency collaboration, the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit promptly evacuated the remains of both victims upon notification by LASTMA, thereby enabling the progression of recovery activities and the gradual restoration of vehicular flow along the strategically vital logistics corridor.
“Upon the conclusion of on-site operations, LASTMA formally handed over the incident to officers of the Ilasa Police Division, whose statutory mandate encompasses conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the immediate and remote causes of the tragic occurrence,” the statement added.
The agency said its General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a sobering testament to the inherent vulnerabilities associated with high-density freight corridors.
He reiterated the Authority’s sustained advocacy for disciplined and responsible driving conduct, urging operators of articulated vehicles to remain perpetually safety-conscious, adhere strictly to prescribed speed thresholds and comply with all regulatory frameworks instituted by the government to safeguard lives and property.
Bakare-Oki further underscored that nocturnal freight operations demand heightened vigilance, calculated manoeuvring and the deployment of adequate warning mechanisms to forestall preventable tragedies.
The agency urged members of the motoring public to exercise prudence, remain compliant with traffic regulations and promptly notify emergency authorities whenever hazardous situations are observed along the highways.
