Two Dead in Oshodi–Apapa Expressway Truck Collision

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that two people lost their lives in a crash involving two fully loaded 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward stretch of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway at Mile 2, Lagos, on Thursday.

In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the agency disclosed that one of the victims was the driver of truck T-392 LA, while the second was a suspected trespasser found near the accident scene.

According to LASTMA, the truck driver was severely trapped inside the steering compartment and had to be extricated by the agency’s Rescue and Recovery Team in a delicate operation. The second victim was recovered from beneath one of the trucks after an intensive search conducted under strict safety measures.

The recovery exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), whose technical support aided the complex rescue. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ilasa Division secured the scene, maintaining order and preserving evidence.

The agency added that the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit evacuated the bodies following notification, allowing clearance operations to proceed and traffic flow to gradually resume along the busy logistics corridor. The case has since been handed over to the Ilasa Police Division for further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased, describing the incident as a stark reminder of the risks associated with high-traffic freight routes. He reiterated the authority’s call for disciplined driving, urging operators of articulated vehicles to strictly observe speed limits and comply with all safety regulations.

Bakare-Oki also emphasised the need for extra caution during night-time freight operations, noting that heightened alertness and proper warning systems are essential to prevent avoidable accidents. The agency appealed to motorists to adhere to traffic rules and promptly report emergencies along highways.

Separately, LASEMA confirmed that the crash involved two containerised trucks without visible registration numbers. According to the agency’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, preliminary findings indicate that one of the trucks rammed into another that was stationary, allegedly due to excessive speed. The impact trapped the driver and his assistant inside the cabin, and both were confirmed dead despite rescue efforts.

He said evacuation of the damaged trucks and their cargo was ongoing, alongside traffic control measures to prevent secondary incidents. Motorists were advised to remain patient and comply with directives while clearance operations continued.

The fatal accident occurred just days after another truck reportedly lost its brakes and killed six people along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, underscoring growing concerns about road safety involving heavy-duty vehicles in the state.