Tragedy struck on Tuesday in the Ijora area of Lagos when a fully loaded 40-foot container truck overturned and crushed a commercial tricycle, popularly called Keke Napep, killing two passengers instantly, including a serving police officer.
The accident, which occurred along the Ijora Causeway inward Ijora 7Up, involved a truck with registration number XP 368 AKD and a tricycle with registration number KJA 364 QN.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, two additional victims, including the tricycle operator, were rescued alive but sustained severe bilateral leg fractures.
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According to LASTMA, “Preliminary findings indicate that the articulated vehicle, while attempting a precarious manoeuvre beneath the Ijora Bridge, lost control and consequently capsized, fatally crushing a tricycle in its path. Regrettably, two passengers, including a serving Police Officer, were killed instantly.”
The statement confirmed that the remains of the deceased police officer were conveyed to a morgue in Yaba by security operatives, while relatives of the second victim, a female passenger, arrived at the scene to retrieve her remains.
LASTMA added that a combined rescue operation was carried out by its operatives alongside emergency responders. Two injured survivors, including the tricycle driver, were rushed to Jimsan Hospital in Gasikiya, Ijora, by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for urgent treatment.
To forestall chaos, detachments of security operatives from Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri Police Divisions mounted security cordons around the accident scene. Their swift intervention prevented angry onlookers from setting the container truck ablaze and ensured the safety of emergency responders.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended condolences to the families of the deceased victims, describing the incident as “deeply grievous and most regrettable.” He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured survivors who remain in intensive medical care.
Bakare-Oki commended the professionalism and prompt response of emergency and security agencies, noting that their efforts prevented further casualties and maintained order at the accident scene.
He further appealed to truck operators and articulated vehicle drivers to exercise extreme caution when driving across bridges, intersections, and busy routes in order to prevent avoidable tragedies.
