Tragedy struck the Badagry axis of Lagos in the early hours of Thursday as eight passengers, including a driver and his conductor, lost their lives in a fatal crash involving a commercial Mazda bus and a DAF truck at Atura Bus Stop, inbound Badagry.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA confirmed the incident in an official statement, describing the collision as “catastrophic” with devastating consequences for all involved. The Mazda bus, bearing registration number KJA 811 YF reportedly crashed into the DAF truck (T1 4636 LA) due to excessive speed and loss of control.
The accident, which occurred just before dawn, left the community in mourning and renewed urgent calls for safer driving practices on Lagos roads.
According to the press release signed by Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, a joint rescue operation was immediately initiated involving operatives of LASTMA, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigeria Police (Morogbo Division), and the Nigerian Army’s 244 Battalion (Ibereko Barracks).
Their coordinated efforts led to the rescue of eight surviving passengers, all of whom sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly transported to the General Hospital in Badagry for urgent medical care.
Visiting the crash site, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager of LASTMA, expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and extended prayers for healing to the injured.
“This heart-wrenching incident is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for all road users to embrace caution,” he stated solemnly.
“Speed remains a silent killer on our highways.”
The LASTMA boss issued a stern warning to commercial and heavy-duty vehicle operators, urging strict compliance with defensive driving principles, vehicle maintenance protocols, and adherence to speed regulations.
Bakare-Oki also used the opportunity to underscore LASTMA’s transition from conventional traffic regulation to emergency response and disaster mitigation, aligning with the Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda. He announced the deployment of speed-limiting infrastructure at key accident-prone zones across the state, part of broader efforts to reduce road fatalities.
“We are no longer merely controlling traffic; we are managing emergencies, mitigating disasters, and saving lives,” he emphasized.
LASTMA extended appreciation to the FRSC, the Police, and the Nigerian Army for their professionalism and swift response, while also commending its own operatives who were first on the scene and helped manage the crisis effectively.
As Lagos mourns yet another avoidable tragedy, LASTMA urges all road users to remain vigilant, exercise restraint, and prioritize life over haste.
“This regrettable loss of lives could have been avoided if the basic tenets of safe driving had been observed,” the agency reiterated.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, enhancing urban mobility, and promoting a safety-first culture on Lagos roads
