Ten Die, Six Injured in Fatal Collision on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

​Category: Metro/Road Safety

​A tragic road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has claimed the lives of ten individuals, leaving six others critically injured. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Saapade Bridge, casting a pall of grief over the busy transit corridor.

​The Incident

​According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the collision involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) truck and a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus with the registration number EKY 290 YM. Preliminary investigations suggest the catastrophe was triggered by a dangerous traffic violation: the truck driver, having missed a turn, attempted to reverse directly on the high-speed highway. The oncoming commercial bus, traveling at a high rate of speed, was unable to maneuver around the obstruction and collided violently with the truck.

​Casualty Report

​A total of 18 people were involved in the incident. The FRSC Sector Command in Ogun State confirmed that ten passengers—nine adult males and one male child—perished at the scene. Of the remaining passengers, four adult males and two adult females sustained varying degrees of injury. Two adult males involved in the crash miraculously escaped without harm.

​FRSC rescue operatives arrived promptly to manage the scene, conveying the injured to Victory Hospital in Ogere for urgent medical intervention. The bodies of the deceased were subsequently moved to the FOS Mortuary in Ipara. The Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, has since taken possession of the damaged vehicles to facilitate a full investigation.

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​Authorities Urge Caution

​The Ogun FRSC Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims while issuing a stern warning to motorists. He highlighted the recklessness of reversing on highways, excessive speed, and wrongful overtaking as leading causes of preventable deaths.

​”Road users must adhere strictly to traffic regulations,” Ogunjobi stated. “Missing a route is not a justification for endangering lives; drivers should always proceed to the next designated turning point, no matter the inconvenience. We must prioritize collective safety over personal haste.”

​Traffic flow along the Saapade stretch has since been restored to normal following a clearing operation, but the incident serves as a grim reminder of the high stakes on one of Nigeria’s most critical arterial roads.