A six-tyre truck fully loaded with toner printing materials plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos on Saturday after reportedly suffering a brake failure, leaving one person seriously injured.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that its personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to rescue the victim and restore order to the busy route.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the truck with registration number AKD 135 YK lost control while descending the Oshodi-Oke Bridge inward Mile 2 and crashed into the terminal ditch below.
“In an exemplary display of operational precision and institutional alertness, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public safety, emergency responsiveness, and traffic orderliness as its operatives today rescued a severely injured male victim following a ghastly accident involving a fully loaded six-tyre truck with registration number AKD 135 YK, which suffered a brake failure and plunged off the Oshodi Bridge into the terminal ditch while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2.”
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Taofiq explained that preliminary findings showed the vehicle experienced a critical mechanical failure while descending the bridge, causing it to lose control and tumble into the ditch.
He said, “Upon arrival, the officers immediately commenced rescue operations and successfully extricated a male victim who sustained grievous injuries in the accident. The injured man was expeditiously conveyed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment, while the driver of the truck was apprehended and handed over to security operatives from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the brake malfunction and other contributory factors.”
Taofiq added that the accident could have resulted in multiple casualties but for the swift and coordinated response of LASTMA officers who diverted traffic and cleared the wreckage.
“To forestall secondary collisions and ensure the safety of road users, LASTMA operatives swiftly cordoned off the accident scene, diverted vehicular movement, and supervised the clearance of the wreckage thereby restoring traffic normalcy within a remarkably short period,” he said.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, commended the operatives for their prompt and professional handling of the situation.
“Mr. Bakare Oki lauded their exceptional response, diligence, and adherence to standard safety protocols during the operation. He reiterated the Agency’s unrelenting vigilance in ensuring the protection of lives and property on Lagos roads, particularly during the ember months, when traffic density and accident risks are significantly heightened.”
Oki also disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks had been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at key traffic points for quick emergency response.
“Mr. Oki further emphasized that the agency’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations were instituted to guarantee seamless vehicular movement across the state before, during, and after the festive season. He disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini trucks have been strategically deployed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel stationed at critical traffic nodes and corridors for optimal coverage and swift emergency response,” the statement said.
He urged motorists to carry out regular vehicle maintenance and comply strictly with traffic regulations to avoid similar incidents.
He reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to “proactive traffic regulation, timely rescue operations, and continuous public enlightenment to make Lagos roads safer for everyone.”
The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where the incident occurred, remains one of Lagos’ busiest transport corridors, frequently plagued by congestion and heavy-duty vehicle movement. Mechanical faults, such as brake failure and tyre bursts, continue to be a leading cause of road crashes across Nigeria. According to the FRSC’s 2022 compendium, mechanical and vehicle-related defects account for about 10 percent of road accidents nationwide.