Two people have died and several others were injured after a head-on collision between a commercial bus and a truck on the Sagamu–Benin Expressway in Ogun State. The crash occurred on Saturday at the Ososa slope, a section of the expressway that has witnessed several accidents in the past due to speeding, wrong-way driving, and poor road discipline.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident on Sunday while giving details of what happened. According to him, the crash involved a yellow Toyota Hiace bus with registration number BDG 274 YG and a blue Benz truck with registration number AKD 115 YL.
A total of 21 people were on board both vehicles. Two persons died instantly, while many others sustained different degrees of injuries. The exact number of the injured has not yet been confirmed.
Akinbiyi explained that eyewitnesses reported that the commercial bus was driving against traffic shortly before the crash. The wrong-way driving led to a head-on collision with the oncoming truck, leaving both vehicles badly damaged.
“The fatal accident occurred at Ososa slope, inbound to Sagamu from Ijebu-Ode. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus was driving against traffic when it collided head-on with the truck,” Akinbiyi said.
He added that TRACE officials, along with other emergency responders, arrived at the scene quickly to rescue victims and clear the road for motorists. The two deceased passengers were taken to the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital morgue, while the injured were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.
The Ososa section of the Sagamu–Benin Expressway is a major route connecting Ogun State to the eastern and southern parts of Nigeria. It is one of the busiest highways in the country, used by commercial buses, trucks, private cars, and long-distance travellers.
Over the years, this expressway has recorded frequent accidents, many of them involving speeding, dangerous overtaking, and wrong-way driving. Safety officials have repeatedly warned motorists to obey traffic rules, especially in areas where the road narrows or slopes.
TRACE has often highlighted the dangers of driving against traffic, a common practice among some commercial drivers seeking shortcuts or trying to avoid traffic jams. Such behaviour, the agency says, has led to many fatal crashes in the state.
Following Saturday’s accident, road safety officials have again urged motorists to exercise caution and obey road signs. They noted that the dangers on highways are often caused by human error rather than faulty vehicles or road conditions.
Akinbiyi reminded drivers that the Sagamu–Benin Expressway is a high-risk road that requires patience and discipline. He said the agency will continue to intensify patrols and enforcement operations to discourage dangerous driving.
Ogun State is known to experience a high number of road crashes, partly due to its position as a major transit corridor linking Lagos to other parts of the country. Both the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and TRACE have repeatedly appealed to drivers to avoid speeding, drunk driving, and driving against traffic.
After the crash scene was cleared, the damaged bus and truck were handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Obalende Division in Ijebu-Ode for further investigation. The police are expected to look into possible causes, including driver negligence, mechanical faults, and other contributing factors.
While giving updates on the response operation, TRACE officials noted that the quick removal of the wreckage helped prevent further traffic congestion on the busy expressway.
Saturday’s crash adds to the growing concerns about road safety on Nigerian highways. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed Nigeria among countries with a high number of road traffic deaths each year. Many of these accidents involve commercial drivers who work long hours and often ignore traffic rules.
In Ogun State, the government has been working with road safety agencies to improve highway patrols, road markings, and public enlightenment campaigns. However, officials say these efforts will only succeed if drivers change their behaviour.
The Sagamu–Benin Expressway, in particular, has been the focus of safety campaigns because of its heavy traffic. The road is currently undergoing major reconstruction in some parts, which sometimes leads to diversions and congestion. Authorities believe these conditions may encourage some drivers to take illegal routes, including driving against traffic.
While the names of the deceased have not yet been released, hospital authorities in Ijebu-Ode said efforts are ongoing to contact their families. Some of the injured passengers were reported to be in stable condition, while others are receiving intensive medical attention.
