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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) conveys its profound sorrow over two separate yet calamitous midnight accidents, one of which resulted in the tragic loss of two lives on the dreaded Otedola Bridge inward the Berger axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the other leaving two persons severely injured near the UNILAG waterfront inward Lagos Island on the Third Mainland Bridge both of which transpired during the early hours of Monday, 8th December 2025.

Preliminary intelligence from the Otedola Bridge incident reveals that an unregistered vehicle, bearing two occupants including the driver was travelling at an egregiously unlawful and hazardous velocity when it collided with tremendous force into a moving heavily-laden trailer at approximately 2:30 a.m. The sheer violence of the impact proved fatal, culminating in the instantaneous demise of both occupants. In a disturbing twist, the operator of the involved trailer absconded from the scene with the articulated vehicle.

LASTMA’s round-the-clock (24-Hour) Night-Gang Teams strategically deployed within the Otedola corridor for midnight nocturnal surveillance and preemptive traffic control responded with exemplary alacrity. The deceased victims were respectfully evacuated from the primary carriageway to avert consequential dangers, after which the mangled vehicle was meticulously extricated from the expressway.

Complementary security reinforcement was provided by officers of the Isheri Police Division, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) subsequently conducted the formal conveyance of the remains in accordance with established emergency and public-health procedures.

In a separate but related incident another grievous crash occurred at about 5:00 a.m. on the Third Mainland Bridge, proximate to the UNILAG waterfront inward Lagos Island.

The accident, involving an empty tanker and a pure-water distribution van (SMK 67 XH), resulted in severe injuries to two individuals. The victims received prompt first-aid stabilisation from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transported to a nearby medical facility for further critical treatment.

Despite the distressing nature of both occurrences, LASTMA officers maintained unwavering vigilance and continued to meticulously regulate traffic along both corridors, ensuring the safety of unsuspecting motorists and preventing additional operational hazards.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and lamented the tragic and wholly preventable loss of life brought about by reckless speeding and brazen disregard for established road safety norms.

He reiterated the Agency’s firm and uncompromising insistence on adherence to government-prescribed speed limits, underscoring that such compliance is indispensable for the preservation of human life and the avoidance of catastrophic avoidable tragedies.

Bakare-Oki further extolled the diligence, professionalism and swift intervention demonstrated by the LASTMA Night-Gang Teams, affirming that the Agency’s uninterrupted 24-hour surveillance, rapid-response capabilities and lifesaving operational frameworks across Lagos State will continue to be executed with unwavering vigour into the forthcoming year, consonant with the Lagos State Government’s resolute commitment to public safety and orderly mobility.

Source: Adebayo Taofiq Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA