18 people, including a Federal Road Safety Corps officer, lost their lives in a multiple accident along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road in Ogun State on Saturday.
The crash happened just hours after another deadly accident claimed seven lives on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to the FRSC Public Education Officer in Ogun State, Florence Okupe, the crash occurred around 4:00 pm and involved seven vehicles. She said a total of 22 people were involved, with 18 confirmed dead and four others seriously injured.
Vehicles involved in the crash included a Toyota Hiace bus (AGL752YC), a DAF truck (T14007LA), a Honda car (HT680), another DAF truck with no registration number, a pickup van (STF10204), a motorcycle (AGG448Q), and a Bajaj bike (PKA214WS).
Okupe explained that the crash happened when the first two vehicles collided. During the rescue operation by FRSC officers, another vehicle lost control due to brake failure and rammed into the scene, leading to more deaths.
“The injured victims were taken to Dasochris Hospital in Gbaga while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH),” she said.
She added, “The crash was avoidable. It was caused by excessive speed and brake failure. Sadly, one of our officers who was helping with the rescue also lost his life.”
The Sector Commander of the FRSC in Ogun State expressed sadness over the rising number of accidents and blamed drivers for their carelessness.
He advised all road users to obey traffic rules, drive within the speed limit, and check their vehicles before hitting the road.
“This is a painful loss. We urge drivers to be more careful. A lot of lives have been lost because people refuse to obey simple road safety rules,” he said.
