At least six people lost their lives, and 23 others sustained varying degrees of injuries when a vehicle carrying both passengers and cows crashed near the Foursquare Camp gate along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
According to Afolabi Odunsi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the accident occurred around 12 p.m. and was caused by excessive speed and loss of vehicle control. A total of 29 people were involved in the incident. Odunsi also noted that 29 cows being transported in the vehicle died in the crash.
“The practice of loading animals alongside passengers often complicates rescue operations and can worsen casualties,” he said. He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact mechanical faults and contributing factors. The injured and deceased were taken to Oreoluwa Hospital (GOFAMINT Camp, Ogunmakin) and Victory Hospital, Ogere.
A statement from Taofiq Adebayo, spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), revealed that the crash involved a painted Volkswagen commercial bus (registration KRD 436 XF) carrying passengers and household items. The bus reportedly suffered a sudden brake failure, causing the driver to lose control and the vehicle to capsize.
The crash left six passengers seriously injured, including two men and four women, with one victim sustaining a critical eye injury. LASTMA, alongside the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and police operatives, responded promptly, extricating and providing emergency medical attention to the injured. Some Good Samaritans also assisted by transporting victims to nearby hospitals.
Hon. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, expressed sympathy for the injured and urged commercial transport operators to avoid overloading and to ensure regular vehicle maintenance, particularly brakes. He emphasized that negligence and mechanical irresponsibility would attract strict regulatory action.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has seen multiple recent accidents. PUNCH Metro reported on January 23 that a previous crash at the Otedola Bridge led to a prolonged traffic gridlock and the death of a truck driver
