The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that eight people lost their lives and another eight sustained injuries in a fatal road accident on Sunday at Atura Bus Stop, along the route towards Badagry in Lagos.
In a statement, LASTMA explained that the crash occurred when a 16-seater commercial Mazda bus, registered as KJA 811 YF, collided with a DAF truck bearing number T1 4636 LA.
According to the agency’s preliminary findings, the bus driver had been moving at an unsafe speed when he lost control, causing the vehicle to veer into the truck’s path and resulting in a devastating collision.
READ ALSO: LASTMA rescues driver as 40-foot container collapses on Toyota Camry
“The tragic accident instantly claimed the lives of eight passengers, including the driver of the ill-fated bus and his conductor, casting a somber pall over the Badagry axis and leaving the community in profound mourning and collective grief,” the statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment read.
The agency reported that officials from LASTMA, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police (Morogbo Division), and the Nigerian Army’s 244 Battalion at Ibereko Barracks quickly mobilised to the crash scene for a joint rescue operation.
Their prompt response ensured the immediate rescue of eight injured passengers, who were later taken to the General Hospital in Badagry by an FRSC emergency vehicle for urgent medical treatment.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who visited the crash site for an on-the-ground assessment, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for their strength in this time of grief.
“This heart-wrenching incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for all road users to embrace caution. No journey should end in such tragedy. May the Almighty grant the deceased eternal rest and console those left behind,” Mr Bakare-Oki said.
He also wished the injured passengers a quick and full recovery.
The LASTMA boss urged drivers of commercial and heavy-duty vehicles to avoid speeding, follow road safety guidelines, and ensure their vehicles are properly maintained to prevent further loss of life.
“This regrettable loss of lives could have been avoided if the basic tenets of defensive driving and vehicular safety had been upheld. Speed remains a silent killer on our highways,” he added.
Mr Bakare-Oki further explained that LASTMA had moved beyond just managing traffic to adopting a more comprehensive approach that prioritises rapid emergency response and proactive safety management.
He noted that this strategy aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda, which focuses on preventive road safety, timely emergency interventions, and improving transport infrastructure.
“We are no longer merely controlling traffic; we are managing emergencies, mitigating disasters, and saving lives. This is the ethos of contemporary traffic administration,” he emphasised.
He pointed out that the state government had begun installing speed-control devices at critical accident-prone areas across the city to curb road mishaps and promote safe driving habits.
READ ALSO: Fake LASTMA officer extorting motorists in Lagos arrested
LASTMA also praised its officers for their swift action at the accident scene and appealed to motorists to remain vigilant, practise defensive driving, and prioritise safety, especially on major highways where speeding, fatigue, and lack of attention often lead to tragic outcomes.
This accident happened just hours after another road crash in Ogun State, where 10 people died and three others were injured in a collision on Ome Bridge, inbound Awa, Ijebu Ode, along the Obada Expressway in Ijebu North Local Government Area on Saturday.
