Five people were confirmed dead and five others injured on Thursday in two separate road accidents along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the first crash occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Abijo Bus Stop, beneath the pedestrian bridge, heading toward the Epe axis.
The agency explained that a Mitsubishi pick-up van with registration number AKD 733 JM, reportedly moving at high speed, lost control and rammed into stationary equipment belonging to Craneburg Construction Company, which was lawfully parked.
The impact claimed the lives of four occupants—three men and one woman—whose bodies were recovered at the scene.
LASTMA confirmed that three other female passengers were rescued from the wreckage, stabilised at the scene, and handed over to officers from the Eleko Division of the Nigeria Police Force for urgent medical attention at nearby health facilities.
The second accident took place later in the night when a Toyota Escort Jeep, also speeding, collided with a parked Dangote truck in the Frajend Group area, inward Bogije, on the same Lekki-Epe Expressway.
The SUV driver died instantly, while two severely injured passengers, who were trapped in the vehicle, were carefully extricated by LASTMA personnel after a painstaking rescue operation.
Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, stated that both survivors were placed in the custody of Elemoro Police Division officers, who facilitated their immediate transfer to medical facilities for emergency treatment.
He also quoted LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki as expressing deep sorrow over the incidents and offering heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, describing the tragedies as devastating and entirely preventable.
“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families during this moment of unspeakable loss and anguish. It is our earnest prayer that the Almighty grants them the strength to bear these irreparable losses,” Bakare-Oki was quoted as saying.
The GM further issued a caution to all motorists to desist from dangerous driving practices, particularly excessive speeding, which he said remains one of the most common infractions contributing to road fatalities.
“These deeply saddening occurrences serve as grim reminders of the catastrophic consequences that stem from the willful violation of established speed regulations.
“The Lagos State Government has made substantial investments in traffic control infrastructure ranging from road signage and speed limiters to high-visibility furniture to mitigate such disasters.
“Motorists are hereby implored to abide by these measures, which are designed solely for the preservation of human life,” he added.