Two people were left unconscious on Thursday morning after a speeding white Ford Jeep rammed into a fully loaded commercial minibus along the busy Lekki-Ajah expressway in Lagos, causing a serious traffic incident that sparked concern about rising cases of reckless driving on the city’s roads.
The accident, which took place near the Ikota School area, disrupted traffic and left bystanders in shock as emergency services rushed to the scene. The driver of the minibus, commonly known as a ‘korope’, was found unconscious and reportedly slipped into a coma, while a passenger inside the bus also lost consciousness due to severe nasal bleeding.
According to officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the crash was caused by the driver of the Jeep who was allegedly speeding and lost control of the vehicle. The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the incident in a statement issued by the agency’s Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department.
Witnesses say the Jeep, with plate number KWL 574 CY, was moving at a high speed when it veered off course and collided forcefully with the commercial minibus bearing plate number FST 207 YK, which was heading in the Ajah direction. The road is known for its heavy daily traffic and high pedestrian activity, especially during morning rush hours.
Emergency responders from LASTMA arrived at the scene promptly to evacuate the victims and clear the wreckage to avoid further chaos on the already congested corridor. The Ajiwe Divisional Police also joined the operation, providing security and helping to manage the gathering crowd and restore order.
The driver of the minibus was reported to have sustained a major fracture in his right arm in addition to the head injuries that led to his coma. The second victim, a male passenger seated close to the driver, reportedly lost a lot of blood through the nose before collapsing.
Both victims were quickly transported to a nearby hospital by the emergency teams, where they are receiving treatment. Their conditions were still critical as of press time, but doctors are said to be doing their best to stabilize them.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare-Oki, used the opportunity to warn motorists about the dangers of reckless and high-speed driving, especially on urban roads like the Lekki-Ajah expressway, which serves thousands of daily commuters. He said, “Excessive speed is one of the major causes of fatal accidents on our roads. We urge all drivers to be more responsible and understand that no destination is worth a life.”
He also praised the swift response of LASTMA officials and the police, adding that their efforts helped to prevent further accidents or injuries. “Our officers were on the ground almost immediately and ensured that the victims got the help they needed quickly. This is part of our broader mission to save lives and reduce avoidable road tragedies,” he said.
In recent years, the Lekki-Ajah expressway has gained a reputation for frequent road crashes, often linked to speeding, drunk driving, or poor road discipline by commercial drivers and private car owners alike. Despite efforts by the state government to improve traffic management and install speed limit signs, the road continues to witness a high number of accidents.
Lagos residents who ply the route daily have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of traffic laws and the installation of speed cameras and rumble strips in accident-prone areas. Thursday’s incident has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of road safety campaigns and the level of compliance among drivers.
One witness at the scene, a roadside vendor who identified herself as Mama Sade, said the crash sounded like an explosion. “We just heard gbam! and turned to see that a Jeep had entered the korope. People started running and shouting. The driver was not moving. Blood was everywhere. It was terrible.”
Another road user, Mr. Osagie, who was heading to work in Lekki Phase 1, said he narrowly escaped being involved. “I was just two cars behind the minibus. If I had moved a bit faster, it could have been my car too. That Jeep driver was flying. There’s no other word for it.”
This latest crash comes barely a week after a similar accident involving a tricycle and a commercial bus at the Jakande roundabout, also along the Lekki-Ajah axis. That incident left one person dead and four others injured, prompting LASTMA to intensify patrols and deploy more officers to the area.
Analysts believe that a stronger regulatory framework backed by real-time enforcement tools may help reduce road incidents in Lagos. Some experts have also suggested mandatory psychological evaluations for commercial drivers and the creation of rest stops to prevent fatigue-related crashes.
As Lagos grows more urban and crowded, experts say there must be a shift toward safer transport systems, smarter road usage, and greater respect for traffic rules. Authorities are also being encouraged to increase public education campaigns that not only target drivers but also pedestrians and commercial vehicle operators.
