A tragic accident occurred at Origan, Oko-Afo, along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos State, where a Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC SUV, bearing the customized license plate “OSUNFNKE,” collided head-on with a commercial tricycle with registration number MUS 716 QM. The SUV was traveling against traffic from the Ile-Epo area towards Oko-Afo, a clear violation of Lagos State’s traffic regulations. The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in the immediate death of the tricycle operator, who suffered multiple injuries, including a critical knee dislocation.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), responsible for overseeing road safety and traffic compliance, swiftly responded to the incident. LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, issued a statement condemning the SUV driver’s reckless behavior, emphasizing that driving against traffic is a dangerous and preventable offense. The agency’s preliminary investigation confirmed that the SUV’s one-way driving directly caused the fatal crash, highlighting the need for stricter adherence to traffic laws to protect road users.
Emergency response teams, including LASTMA personnel and operatives from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were deployed to the scene to manage the situation. The FRSC assisted in evacuating the tricycle operator’s body to the mortuary at the General Hospital in Badagry, ensuring proper handling of the remains. Both the SUV and the tricycle were towed from the scene to clear the roadway and restore normal traffic flow, with the vehicles subsequently handed over to the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation.
The fleeing SUV driver remains at large, prompting LASTMA and the police to intensify efforts to apprehend the individual. Authorities have urged the public to provide any information that could lead to the driver’s arrest, emphasizing the importance of accountability in such cases. The incident has sparked renewed calls for enhanced road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
LASTMA’s General Manager reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring compliance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which prohibits one-way driving and other traffic violations. The law stipulates penalties such as fines, vehicle impoundment, and potential imprisonment for offenders, particularly in cases resulting in loss of life. Bakare-Oki extended condolences to the family of the deceased tricycle operator, assuring them that LASTMA would work closely with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.
The Badagry Expressway, a major arterial road connecting Lagos to neighboring regions, has been the site of numerous accidents due to reckless driving behaviors, including one-way violations. LASTMA has pledged to increase patrols and surveillance along this corridor to deter such infractions. The agency also plans to collaborate with community leaders and transport unions to educate drivers on the dangers of disregarding traffic rules.
Public reaction to the incident has been one of outrage, with many residents and road users expressing frustration over the persistent issue of one-way driving in Lagos. Social media posts on X have called for harsher penalties and the installation of more traffic cameras to monitor and deter violators. The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive road safety campaigns to protect vulnerable road users, such as tricycle operators, who are often at the mercy of larger vehicles.
The Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force is now leading the investigation, focusing on tracking down the SUV driver and determining the full circumstances of the crash. Forensic analysis of the vehicles and witness statements are expected to play a key role in the case. Authorities have also appealed to motorists to prioritize safety and comply with traffic regulations to prevent further loss of life on Lagos roads.
