Two dispatch riders were killed on Sunday morning in a fatal accident involving two fully loaded Mack trucks on the Eko Bridge, heading toward the Alaka corridor in Lagos.
According to a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the collision involved trucks with registration numbers T-10357 LA and KJA 107 XM.
The agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the incident, with details provided by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Taofiq Adebayo.
Preliminary investigations suggest that one of the truck drivers, allegedly speeding and drowsy at the wheel, lost control of the vehicle.
The truck veered into others ahead, causing a 20-foot container to detach and fall, fatally crushing the two dispatch riders navigating the route at that time. Both were confirmed dead at the scene.
LASTMA officers on routine patrol beneath the bridge responded swiftly, rescuing a severely injured truck driver who was rushed to a nearby hospital by a state ambulance.
However, the other two truck drivers reportedly fled the scene, possibly fearing the consequences of the crash.
Authorities have launched an investigation to locate the fleeing drivers.
To ensure safety and prevent further incidents, LASTMA cordoned off the affected section of the bridge and diverted traffic through Costain Roundabout toward Stadium.
Mr. Bakare-Oki expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need for responsible driving, particularly among operators of articulated vehicles.
He urged drivers to remain alert, avoid fatigue, and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on any journey.
He also highlighted LASTMA’s ongoing public safety campaigns targeting heavy-duty vehicle drivers.
Other emergency responders at the scene included the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), and a police officer from the Iporin Division.