Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered an investigation into the death of nine persons in the Ojuelegba area of the State.
On Sunday, a container fell on a bus, killing the victims. Several other people were injured in the incident and are being treated in a hospital.
Hours after the accident, Governor Sanwo-Olu promised a thorough investigation while condoling with the victims’ families.
“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the people and government, sympathizes with the families of those who died today in the Ojuelegba truck accident,” the state’s Transportation Commissioner Frederic Oladeinde said in a statement.
“The accident will be thoroughly investigated so as to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents. We are working with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to install Vehicle/Truck barriers on the inward and outward sections of the Bridge.
“We share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in the accident and pray that the Almighty will strengthen them at this difficult time.
“The Government will continue to implement its Transport Master Plan, which has safety strategies that will ensure that our roads are safe.”
Sunday’s mishap involved an articulated vehicle carrying a 20ft container.
Investigations revealed that the commercial bus was picking up passengers at the bus stop along the Ojuelegba Bridge when the vehicle lost control and fell over the side of the bridge.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) suspended the container and cut off the top of the bus to rescue a woman and take her to the trauma centre.
The victims, according to the agency, include four adult males, three adult females, a girl child, and a boy child.
An eyewitness said that the truck driver wanted to block the bus from overtaking him.