Three people have been confirmed dead following a tragic accident in the Ayetoro area of Epe, Lagos, involving a Dangote truck.
The accident, which occurred on November 11, 2024, was caused by a brake failure as the truck was descending from Ita-Opo in Epe.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, with General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki providing details in a statement.
According to Bakare-Oki, the Dangote truck, which was carrying cement, lost control when the brakes failed.
The out-of-control truck collided with a tricycle, identified as AGL 442 QC, and a stationary Toyota Camry at the Ayeyoro traffic light.
After the collision, the truck veered off the road and crashed into the Ayetoro Market Complex, a busy market area in Epe.
The accident led to the tragic deaths of the tricycle driver and two students from Manpower Technical School, who were in the vicinity of the market.
LASTMA officials quickly arrived at the scene, alongside members of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), to secure the area and clear the wreckage.
The bodies of the victims were respectfully transported to the mortuary at Epe General Hospital.
While this tragedy dominated the news, it was not the only accident reported in Lagos on Monday.
LASTMA confirmed that in addition to the fatal accident in Epe, there were other road incidents in the state that required urgent attention.
In Abule Egba, a separate crash involved two buses, a LT Bus (FKJ 762 AD) and a Toyota Hiace Bus (MUS 154 YE), which also suffered brake failure.
The crash left several passengers injured, but quick action by LASTMA personnel ensured that the injured were promptly extricated from the wreckage and taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
In another accident at Tsunami Bridge, inward Ketu, LASTMA officers responded to a multi-vehicle collision involving two Volkswagen commercial buses and a 10-tyre DAF truck.
The collision left multiple victims injured, but they were swiftly taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The fatal incident in Epe has once again highlighted the risks of poor vehicle maintenance, particularly concerning braking systems.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, took the opportunity to call for better vehicle maintenance practices, urging all drivers to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on any journey.
“We urge motorists to regularly maintain their vehicles, especially the braking systems, to prevent tragic accidents like the one in Epe,” Bakare-Oki said.
“This is a reminder that proper vehicle maintenance is crucial in saving lives and preventing accidents on our roads,” he added.
The Epe community is still in shock following the tragic accident. The area, known for its busy markets and high traffic, was left in chaos as emergency teams scrambled to assist the injured and clear the wreckage.
The incident has also sparked calls for more caution on Lagos roads, where traffic accidents are all too common. The growing number of road accidents in the state has led to increasing concerns about the safety of road users.
In light of this, LASTMA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos roads.
“The safety of our people is of utmost importance, and we will continue to enforce traffic regulations and encourage road safety awareness,” said Bakare-Oki.
“We are also working closely with other agencies to ensure that accidents like this do not happen again,” he added.
