At least 10 people have died and six others were injured in a road crash at Saapade Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The crash involved a white Sinotruk truck with an unknown registration number and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM, according to the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In a statement, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Odunsin, said a total of 18 people were involved in the accident, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females, and one male child.
“Sadly, 10 persons lost their lives, comprising nine adult males and one male child, while six persons (four adult males and two adult females) sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt,” he said.
The FRSC said preliminary investigations revealed that the crash was caused by speeding, wrongful overtaking, and dangerous driving.
According to the statement, the truck driver allegedly reversed on the highway after missing his route. The approaching bus, which was reportedly travelling at high speed, attempted to pass through the limited space available but crashed into the truck.
FRSC rescue operatives responded promptly and evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were taken to FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
The statement added that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, had taken custody of the crashed vehicles, while arrangements were being made to evacuate them from the scene.
The Ogun State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He also warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, speeding, reckless driving, and other traffic violations that endanger lives.
The Ogun Sector Command urged all road users to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds, and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes, stressing that adherence to these safety measures would help prevent avoidable fatalities on the nation’s highways.
