LAGOS
A tragic road accident involving five heavy-duty trucks has claimed the lives of eight individuals, among them a police inspector, early Thursday morning.
The incident, which occurred on Kara bridge near the Lagos-Ogun border, heading toward Mowe on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, triggered a swift emergency response from multiple agencies, including the police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, who visited the scene, confirmed the fatalities and described the crash as a “multiple-vehicle collision involving articulated trucks.” He noted that three survivors had been rescued from the wreckage as of 5 a.m., when emergency teams began operations.
Preliminary findings suggest that the chain-reaction crash was sparked by a trailer that lost control due to brake failure. “This underscores the critical need for routine vehicle maintenance, especially for long-haul trucks,” Jimoh stated.
The commissioner also expressed sorrow over the loss of a police inspector who was part of the advance response team. “It’s a painful loss. He was on duty, trying to help manage the situation when the tragedy struck,” he said.
Jimoh issued a stern warning to truck drivers, urging them to adopt safer driving practices. “Recklessness behind the wheel, especially among operators of articulated vehicles, continues to cost lives. This must stop,” he emphasized.
As of the time of reporting, rescue and recovery efforts were still underway, with traffic authorities working to clear the scene and restore normal flow on the busy expressway
