Eight people have been confirmed dead following a head-on collision between a fully loaded 16-seater bus and an oncoming truck along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), preliminary investigation revealed that the commercial bus driver lost control while driving at excessive speed, resulting in a devastating crash with a DAF truck.
Adebayo described the impact as ‘cataclysmic,’ leaving minimal chances of escape or survival for several passengers in the bus.
“LASTMA profoundly regrets to announce a grievous and fatal road traffic collision which occurred today at Atura Bus Stop, inbound Badagry, involving a 16-seater commercial Mazda bus, registration number KJA 811 YF, and a DAF truck, marked T1 4636 LA.
“The tragic accident instantly claimed the lives of eight passengers, including the driver of the ill-fated bus and his conductor, casting a sombre pall over the Badagry axis and leaving the community in profound mourning and collective grief,” he said.
He added that LASTMA personnel, working in collaboration with officials from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force (Morogbo Division), and the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army (Ibereko Barracks), launched a prompt and coordinated rescue operation at the scene.
“Their timely intervention led to the successful extraction of eight surviving passengers, all of whom sustained varying degrees of trauma,” he added.
The injured were immediately transported to the General Hospital in Badagry by FRSC officials for urgent medical attention.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the commercial bus lost control while navigating at a perilously high speed, leading to a catastrophic collision with a DAF truck.
“The resultant impact was described as cataclysmic, leaving little chance for evasion or survival for several occupants of the bus,” he reiterated.
In the aftermath of the crash, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, visited the scene and issued a stern warning to both commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators.
He advised against reckless speeding, called for strict adherence to safety protocols, and emphasized the importance of routine vehicle maintenance to prevent avoidable tragedies.
“This heart-wrenching incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for all road users to embrace caution.
“No journey should end in such tragedy. May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and console those left behind,” he stated solemnly.
He further stressed that the unfortunate loss of lives could have been prevented if defensive driving principles and vehicular safety standards had been observed. “Speed remains a silent killer on our highways,” he warned.
Bakare-Oki also highlighted the deployment of speed-limiting mechanisms at high-risk points across Lagos as part of the State Government’s broader efforts to reduce road fatalities, protect commuters, and promote a culture of safety and compliance.
LASTMA commended the FRSC, the Nigerian Police, and the Nigerian Army for their swift and patriotic response in mitigating the impact of the tragedy.
He concluded with an appeal to all road users to maintain heightened vigilance, responsibility, and awareness—particularly along intercity routes where speed, fatigue, and negligence often result in catastrophic consequences.