JUST IN: Eight Dead in Tragic Lagos Road Crash

Eight people have been confirmed dead following a fatal road crash that occurred early Sunday morning in the Badagry area of Lagos. According to a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident took place before dawn at Atura Bus Stop, inward Badagry.

The collision involved a 16-seater commercial Mazda bus with registration number KJA 811 YF and a DAF truck marked T14636 LA. Taofiq Adebayo, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, stated that the crash claimed the lives of all eight victims on the spot, including the driver and conductor of the bus.

Rescue efforts were carried out by LASTMA operatives, officials from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police, and soldiers from the 244 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Ibereko Barracks. Eight survivors, who sustained varying degrees of injuries, were immediately taken to the General Hospital in Badagry for emergency treatment using an FRSC rescue vehicle.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the bus driver lost control while speeding, leading to a catastrophic head-on collision with the truck. Officials described the impact as devastating, giving little room for escape or survival for many on board.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, visited the scene and expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased. He called the incident a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be lost due to preventable road mishaps. Bakare-Oki urged all road users, especially commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators, to avoid speeding, observe safety protocols, and maintain their vehicles regularly.

He emphasized that the tragedy could have been avoided with better adherence to defensive driving and vehicle safety practices. Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to road safety, he noted that speed-limiting mechanisms have been deployed at several critical points across Lagos to reduce accidents and promote a culture of responsible driving.

“We are no longer merely controlling traffic; we are managing emergencies, mitigating disasters, and saving lives,” said Adebayo in the statement, underscoring LASTMA’s evolving role in traffic and public safety.