Tragedy struck at the popular Toll Gate axis of Lagos-Abeokuta expressway on Tuesday morning when a truck transiting from Ota, Ogun State (precisely Ilo-Iwela) inward Lagos state suffered brake failure killing six people on the spot and leaving three others with various degree of injuries.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the tragic accident happened at 9.55 a.m
Officials of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), who confirmed the said development to NewsClick Nigeria said the accident involved a truck, tricycle and 9 persons.
Mr Salau Hammed, Ota Divisional Commander of TRACE, confirmed the accident to NewsClick Nigeria on Tuesday in Ota.
“Six deaths, comprising five males and a female, were recorded, while three persons were critically injured.
“The corpses of the victims have been taken to the mortuary at Ifo General Hospital, while the survivors are receiving treatment at Ota General Hospital,” Ota Divisional Commander of TRACE, Salau Hammed told NewsClick Nigeria.
Hammed said that efforts were underway to clear the wreckage, including the truck, the affected vehicles, and the tricycle from the highway, adding that TRACE personnel and sister agencies are on the ground to manage the situation.
He warned motorists against speeding and to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition before putting them on the road.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness who spoke under condition of anonymity also confirmed the development. According to him, he narrowly escaped the tragedy as he was around the axis few minutes before the accident happened.
‘I was a walking distance to where the accident happened some few minutes earlier before it happened. It was a messy sight to see. People who left their homes healthy looking for their daily meal just ended their lives in such a tragic manner is indeed a sad thing,’ he said.
NewsClick Nigeria reports that the Toll Gate axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway has become a flash point for such tragic accidents. Several lives have been cut short on the axis with residents always appealing to the Ogun State Government to do something drastic to end the avoidable loss of lives.
