Truck kills six, injures three on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Tragedy struck on Tuesday as six people were killed while three persons were critically injured when a truck lost control and crashed into vehicles and pedestrians at the Old Toll Gate area of the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that the crash occurred around 8am.

In a statement, the Public Education Officer of the Ogun Sector Command of the FRSC, Afolabi Odunsi, stated that the truck, which was loaded with vegetable oil, suffered brake failure, causing the driver to lose control in the busy toll gate area.

“A tragic road traffic crash occurred today at approximately 08:00 hrs at the Old Toll Gate, Ota. The incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to others,” Odunsi said.

According to him, the articulated vehicle rammed into two other vehicles and bystanders.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the truck suffered mechanical brake failure. Six adults – five males and one female – were confirmed dead, while two adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he added.

Odunsi said the injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Ifo General Hospital morgue.

He added that the Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Wasiu Lawal, who visited the scene, ordered the immediate removal of roadside traders around the Old Toll Gate to prevent future tragedies.

“To forestall a recurrence at this high-risk corridor, the chairman directed the immediate dislodgement of illegal traders occupying the road verges and pledged the council’s support to the FRSC and other security agencies in enforcing the directive,” Odunsi said.

The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, also urged drivers—especially operators of articulated vehicles—to ensure thorough mechanical checks before embarking on journeys.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi identified the vehicles involved as a Mack truck with registration number EKY 913 YH, a Suzuki minibus with number plate SMK 16 YK, and a tricycle with number plate AAA 840 QM. He added that the truck driver fled the scene.

“The crash occurred when the driver of a Mack tanker truck, travelling from Ota towards Lagos, drove at excessive speed and rammed into several vehicles, including a tricycle and pedestrians; six people died while three others sustained injuries,” Akinbiyi said.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said an investigation had commenced into the cause of the crash.