Two people have died in a collision involving two fully loaded 40-foot container trucks along the Cele inward axis of the Oshodi–Apapa Expressway, Mile 2, Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed on Thursday.
According to a statement by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq, one of the victims was the driver of truck T-392 LA, while the second was a suspected trespasser whose presence near the vehicles could not be immediately determined.
“The driver was severely trapped within the steering compartment of his truck, requiring painstaking extrication by our Rescue and Recovery Team. The second deceased was carefully retrieved from beneath one of the trucks following an intensive search and recovery operation conducted under strict safety protocols,” the statement read.
LASTMA said recovery efforts were conducted in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), whose technical support was key to the complex operation. Security at the scene was maintained by personnel from the Ilasa Police Division, ensuring perimeter control and preservation of evidence.
“Further exemplifying robust inter-agency collaboration, the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit promptly evacuated the remains of both victims, enabling the gradual restoration of traffic flow along this vital logistics corridor,” the statement added.
The Authority’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, describing the incident as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks associated with high-density freight corridors. He urged drivers of articulated vehicles to adhere strictly to speed limits, observe traffic regulations, and deploy adequate safety measures, particularly during night operations.
Also confirming the fatalities, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary investigations showed that one of the trucks rammed into a stationary container truck from behind, apparently due to excessive speed. The impact trapped both the driver and his assistant inside the truck cabin, and they were confirmed dead at the scene.
“Recovery operations, including the evacuation of the trucks and their cargo, are ongoing to restore normal traffic flow. Motorists are advised to exercise patience and comply with traffic directives while clearance continues,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He also urged drivers to embrace responsible driving to prevent avoidable accidents.
This accident comes just two days after a truck lost its brakes and killed six people along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, highlighting ongoing safety concerns on major freight corridors in Lagos State.
