The Lagos State Government has cautioned operators of articulated vehicles, tankers and trucks to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and prescribed speed limits, warning that violations will attract severe sanctions.
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday following a serious road accident involving a heavy-duty truck conveying Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, and a private vehicle at the Apakun Bridge, inward Oshodi.
Giwa said preliminary findings showed that the truck, with registration number EKY 120 YK, was allegedly travelling at excessive speed when it collided with a moving silver Toyota Corolla, EKY 289 HM, at the crest of the bridge.
“The impact of the crash caused significant traffic disruption and created an immediate and grave risk to lives and property in the area,” he said.
According to him, two pedestrians were hit during the incident, while the driver of the Toyota Corolla sustained critical injuries.
Giwa said officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, responded swiftly to the scene, rescuing and extricating the injured victims from the wreckage.
He added that the injured pedestrians and the car driver were promptly taken to a nearby medical facility, where they are currently receiving intensive medical care.
To ensure safety and prevent further incidents during the rescue operation, Giwa said personnel from the Ajao Estate Police Division were deployed to provide security and manage the area.
He also disclosed that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised due to the highly flammable nature of the truck’s cargo.
Condemning the rising incidence of crashes linked to excessive speeding, especially involving heavy-duty vehicles, Giwa described such behaviour as reckless and unacceptable.
He stressed that the state government would not hesitate to apply the full force of the law against any driver whose actions endanger lives, reiterating the administration’s commitment to promoting a safe, orderly and well-regulated transport system across Lagos State.
