The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of one person and the rescue of four others following a tragic road accident at Ekoro Junction inward Abule-Egba in Lagos State on Friday evening.
The agency disclosed that the crash occurred at about 7:30 p.m. when an empty MACK tanker, reportedly suffering a sudden brake failure, lost control and rammed into a Toyota Corolla before crashing into a roadside shop.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the tanker, bearing registration number EKY 900 XY, collided with a Toyota Corolla marked AAA 823 AY.
The force of the impact caused extensive structural damage to the affected shop and sparked panic among traders and pedestrians in the busy commercial corridor.
“The magnitude of the collision led to the immediate confirmation of one fatality at the scene, while four other trapped persons were extricated from the wreckage through coordinated emergency rescue efforts,” the agency stated.
LASTMA said it promptly activated its Rescue and Recovery Protocol, deploying specialised personnel to the scene to stabilise the situation and prevent secondary incidents.
Operatives implemented strategic traffic diversion measures, vehicular evacuation procedures and crowd control in synergy with other emergency responders to guarantee unobstructed access for rescue operations.
Emergency teams provided on-the-spot medical attention to the injured victims, while a heavy-duty tow truck was later deployed to evacuate the damaged tanker and clear debris to restore normal traffic flow.
The tanker driver reportedly fled the scene shortly after the crash. Security operatives have since launched efforts to apprehend him and initiate appropriate legal proceedings.
According to reports, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ekoro Division, responded swiftly to maintain public order, secure the accident perimeter and assist in investigative processes aimed at establishing the precise sequence of events that led to the mechanical failure and subsequent collision.
The incident triggered significant traffic congestion across adjoining routes toward Abule-Egba, necessitating traffic management interventions by LASTMA officials who remained on ground directing vehicular movement and implementing diversion strategies to ease the backlog.
Reacting to the development, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and urged transport operators, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to prioritise routine vehicle maintenance.
“Preventable mechanical deficiencies remain a significant contributory factor in severe road traffic crashes,” Bakare-Oki noted.
He further advised motorists to remain vigilant, obey traffic regulations and maintain responsible driving habits, especially in densely populated commercial areas.
Bakare-Oki assured residents that security agencies would conduct a thorough investigation to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the accident, stressing that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with extant laws.
Other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, all of whom collaborated to coordinate rescue operations, medical response and environmental safety measures.
