Four Die, One Injured In Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash

By Samuel Egbewole

Four male adults have died and one other sustained injuries following a fatal early-morning collision involving two trucks at the Straight Gate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State. Three other occupants involved in the crash escaped unhurt.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun Command, disclosed the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson and Chief Route Commander, Mr Afolabi Odunsi.

According to Odunsi, the crash occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. and involved a blue Mitsubishi Canter truck (registration number FGE 753 XA) and an ash-coloured HOWO truck (registration number T-695 KT). Preliminary investigations conducted by the corps revealed that the accident was triggered by a combination of speed violation, driver fatigue, and unsafe overtaking.

The speeding driver of the Mitsubishi Canter truck, who was reportedly battling exhaustion, rammed into the moving HOWO truck while attempting a wrong overtaking manoeuvre.

Following a distress call received at 4:33 a.m., an FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene within six minutes to manage the situation. The injured victim was immediately evacuated to Victory Hospital in Ogere for medical attention, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the FOS Mortuary in Ipara.

The baseline investigation has been transferred to the Police Motor Traffic Division (MTD), Isara Division, alongside the crashed vehicles.

Reacting to the incident, the FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun State, Mr Oludare Ogunjobi, strongly cautioned motorists against the dangers of speeding, driving while fatigued, and reckless night or early-morning overtaking. He urged long-distance drivers to prioritise adequate rest before embarking on trips, emphasising the vital safety rule: “Drive with care. Better to be late than never.”