Two people were killed while at least six others sustained injuries in multiple road crashes recorded across Lagos on New Year’s Day.
The crashes were confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
The agency, in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, on Thursday, said the fatal incidents occurred at different locations, including Iyana Itire in Oshodi, the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, and the Ikorodu Road corridor.
According to LASTMA, a violent collision between a Volkswagen commercial bus and a Toyota Sienna at Iyana Itire, inward Oshodi, led to the death of two occupants.
It added that its personnel promptly arrived at the scene and contacted the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for the evacuation of the deceased, while efforts were made to prevent traffic disruption in the area.
The statement read, “In a deeply distressing incident that occurred earlier today at Iyana Itire, inward Oshodi, a violent collision between a Volkswagen commercial bus (SMK 850 HK) and a Toyota Sienna car (KSF 329 XL) claimed the lives of two persons.
“LASTMA personnel, who promptly arrived at the scene, immediately contacted the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) for the dignified evacuation of the deceased, ensuring orderliness and preventing further disruption to traffic flow.”
In another incident along Ibeju Bridge, inward Eleko axis of the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, a DAF tanker reportedly rammed into an Opel Zafira, leaving two persons critically injured.
The authority said the victims were rescued by its emergency response team and rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
“In a separate but equally serious accident along the Ibeju Bridge, inward Eleko axis of the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, a DAF tanker collided with an Opel Zafira car (EPE 537 GZ).
“Thanks to the swift and professional intervention of LASTMA’s emergency response team, two critically injured victims were rescued and urgently conveyed to a nearby medical facility for lifesaving treatment,” the statement read.
Similarly, a crash involving a Volkswagen commercial bus and a Toyota Corolla at Owode Elede, inward Owode Onirin on Ikorodu Road, left four persons injured.
LASTMA said its operatives rescued the injured victims, ensured their transfer to the hospital, and restored traffic flow along the corridor.
“Similarly, at Owode Elede, inward Owode Onirin along the Ikorodu Road corridor, another severe crash involving a Volkswagen commercial bus (AGL 713 XP) and a Toyota Corolla car (AGL 607 JF) left four persons injured.
“LASTMA operatives, acting with commendable dispatch, rescued the victims and ensured their immediate transfer to the hospital, while also restoring traffic normalcy in the area,” LASTMA said.
Commenting on the incidents, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned what he described as “avoidable tragedies occasioned largely by recklessness and excessive speeding.”
He said, “These crashes are deeply unfortunate, especially on a day meant to usher in hope, reflection and renewed commitment to safety.”
Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and commended LASTMA officers for their swift response, which he said helped to prevent further loss of lives.
He warned motorists to avoid dangerous driving habits, obey traffic regulations and prioritise human life over speed and impatience.
The agency reiterated its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, responding promptly to emergencies and sensitising road users, particularly during festive and high-mobility periods.
“LASTMA remains resolute in its mandate to enforce traffic laws, respond swiftly to emergencies and continually sensitize the motoring public on the imperative of road safety, particularly during festive and high-mobility periods,” the statement read.
