The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has confirmed the recovery of another body following the tragic accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, where a car plunged into the Lagos Lagoon on August 23.
This brings the total number of confirmed fatalities to two.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed the development on Wednesday in a statement made available to journalists in Lagos.
Mr Emmanuel revealed that the body of the second victim, a 31-year-old man identified as Chado Daniel Danladi, was recovered during the continued search operations. Danladi, who lived on Oremeta Street in Ikeja, was identified as a colleague of the first victim.
“The body has been released to the family,” Mr Emmanuel confirmed.
According to LASWA, initial reports following the incident suggested that only one person was inside the Toyota Camry vehicle that crashed into the lagoon. However, further investigations later confirmed that the car was carrying a second occupant — Mr Danladi.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Friday, August 23, when the vehicle, reportedly moving at high speed, lost control and veered off the Third Mainland Bridge into the lagoon.
The first victim, a young woman identified only as Aisha, aged between 25 and 35, was quickly pulled out of the water by emergency divers and handed over to her family shortly after the crash.
“The vehicle carried a female passenger, identified as Aisha, aged between 25 and 35. Her body was quickly recovered by divers and handed to her family,” Emmanuel said.
He noted that the timely intervention of LASWA’s Search and Rescue Team played a major role in managing the aftermath of the tragedy.
The response operation involved a combined team of emergency services, including LASWA, the Marine Police, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Local fishermen in the area also provided support during the search.
“This incident demonstrates the efficiency of our coordinated emergency response and the strong community support that strengthens Lagos State’s capacity to manage waterway emergencies,” Emmanuel said.
He praised the synergy among agencies and reaffirmed LASWA’s commitment to the safety of commuters and the protection of lives across all Lagos waterways.
The recovery of the second body puts an end to the search operation, but it also raises questions about road safety and emergency awareness around major bridges in the state.
Residents and safety advocates have again called for the installation of better safety infrastructure on Lagos bridges, including speed monitors, protective barriers, and more visible emergency contact signs.
Third Mainland Bridge, which links Lagos Island to the mainland, is Nigeria’s longest bridge and one of the busiest in the country. It has witnessed several unfortunate incidents in recent years, including vehicle crashes and occasional suicide attempts.
Authorities have also urged motorists to drive with caution, especially at night or during early morning hours when visibility is often poor and traffic is light, which encourages speeding.
While the specific cause of the August 23 crash is still under investigation, eyewitnesses say the vehicle may have lost control due to excessive speed.
Mr Emmanuel, while consoling the families of the deceased, reminded the public that waterway emergency numbers are active and available 24/7, and that LASWA remains committed to a faster and more effective emergency response system.
He added, “We remain committed to ensuring safety and rapid response in all such cases.”
The Lagos State Government has yet to release an official statement on the tragedy, but government officials have assured that investigations will continue to ensure the safety of both roads and waterways in the state.
