Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning at the busy Idi-Iroko inward Ogolonto stretch of Ikorodu Road, Lagos, after a road crash claimed the life of one person and left two others severely injured.
According to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the crash occurred when a commercial vehicle lost control and overturned, trapping its passengers. Emergency responders were quickly deployed to the scene to prevent further casualties and restore the heavy traffic gridlock that followed.
Eyewitnesses said the accident caused panic among commuters, many of whom had to abandon their buses to trek long distances as traffic built up rapidly along the axis. The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment, while the body of the deceased was taken away by emergency officials.
LASTMA Chairman, Bolaji Oreagba, in a statement confirmed the incident, stressing that preliminary investigations linked the crash to reckless driving and possible brake failure. He urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before setting out on the highway, especially during the rainy season when roads are slippery.
The incident adds to the rising number of fatal crashes reported in Lagos this year. Data from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) show that no fewer than 2,178 road accidents were recorded in the state between January and July 2025, with over 300 lives lost. Analysts warn that unless stronger enforcement of traffic laws is implemented, such tragedies will remain a recurring nightmare.
Community leaders in Ikorodu have since called for the installation of more traffic signs, functional streetlights, and speed bumps along accident-prone sections of the corridor. They also appealed for stricter checks on commercial drivers, who they accused of routinely flouting traffic rules at the expense of passengers’ lives.
For residents, the Ogolonto crash is yet another painful reminder of the fragility of life on Nigeria’s roads. As families mourn their loved ones, the call for safer highways and responsible driving has once again become urgent and unavoidable.
