Tragedy struck early Sunday morning along Old Ipaja Road, Agbotikuyo, Lagos, when a 40-foot container-laden Mack truck suffered brake failure and collapsed onto a commercial minibus, commonly known as “Korope,” en route to Iyana Ipaja.
The fatal crash claimed the life of the minibus driver, who died on the spot. Three passengers—two women and a man—were pulled from the wreckage unhurt. They were immediately handed over to emergency medical teams for assessment and care.
The accident caused severe traffic disruption as the overturned truck blocked a significant portion of the road, spilling over into nearby routes, including Shofunde and Olufunlayo streets.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) swiftly arrived at the scene to manage traffic and prevent further chaos. According to LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq, officers also apprehended the truck driver, who had attempted to flee.
He was later handed over to security operatives from Elere and Area ‘G’ Police Divisions.
“LASTMA officers intercepted the truck driver in his failed attempt to abscond and handed him over to the appropriate authorities,” Taofiq confirmed in a statement.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), and the Nigeria Police Force worked collaboratively to secure the area, retrieve the deceased’s body, and restore normal vehicular flow.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, extended condolences to the victim’s family and called for stricter compliance with vehicle safety standards.
“Truck operators must adhere strictly to safety protocols. It is non-negotiable that every articulated vehicle undergoes thorough mechanical inspection—especially the braking systems—before venturing onto our roads. Preventable tragedies like this underscore the need for unwavering compliance,” he stated.
He reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to enforcing roadworthiness standards and ensuring the safety of all road users.