Four people have been confirmed dead after a vehicle plunged into the Ososa River along the Ijebu-Ode–Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State. The accident, which occurred around midnight on Sunday, involved a white Toyota Hilux carrying six occupants.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. He explained that the vehicle lost control before veering off the road and falling into the river.
According to Akinbiyi, preliminary investigations showed that excessive speed was the major cause of the crash. He said the driver appeared to have been speeding when he suddenly lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal plunge.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the accident. Akinbiyi said four male adults were recovered dead from the submerged vehicle.
“Emergency responders, including TRACE, the police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, upon arrival at the scene, recovered four male adults dead,” he stated.
The condition of the remaining two occupants was not immediately clear at the time of filing this report, and authorities were still trying to establish their whereabouts. The identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed.
Personnel from TRACE, the Nigeria Police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were involved in the rescue and recovery operation. They worked to remove the victims and secure the accident site, which attracted the attention of early morning travellers.
Road safety officials have since warned motorists to exercise caution, especially at night and during early morning hours when visibility is low. They noted that the Ijebu-Ode–Sagamu Expressway, although one of the busiest routes in Ogun State, has witnessed several recent accidents linked to speeding and reckless driving.
Road traffic accidents remain a major cause of death in Nigeria. According to data from the FRSC, speeding is responsible for a significant percentage of crashes recorded nationwide each year. The Ijebu-Ode–Sagamu axis, in particular, has been identified as a high-risk corridor due to heavy vehicular movement, especially by commercial and private motorists travelling between Lagos, Ondo, and other South-West states.
Local residents often complain that some parts of the expressway do not have adequate lighting at night, making it harder for drivers to react quickly in emergency situations. Safety advocates have consistently called for improved road signage, stricter enforcement of speed limits, and better driver awareness campaigns.
Following Sunday’s tragedy, TRACE urged all motorists to avoid speeding and ensure their vehicles are in good condition before embarking on long-distance trips. The agency also appealed to drivers to avoid late-night journeys whenever possible.
As investigations continue into the circumstances of the crash, authorities say efforts are ongoing to identify the victims and notify their families.
