HON. GIWA SOUNDS A GRAVE WARNING TO TANKER AND TRUCK OPERATORS AS RECKLESS OVERSPEEDING TRIGGERS A DEVASTATING COLLISION, LEAVING TWO INNOCENT PEDESTRIANS INJURED AT APAKUN BRIDGE, OSHODI.

The Lagos State Government has expressed profound disquiet and deep-seated concern over a distressing road traffic catastrophe that occurred at the crest of Apakun Bridge, inward Oshodi, involving a heavy-duty truck conveying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and a privately owned motor vehicle.

Preliminary security assessments indicate that the truck, bearing (EKY 120 YK), operated at an outrageously excessive and perilous speed, in flagrant violation of established traffic safety standards, violently rammed into a moving silver-coloured Toyota Corolla (EKY 289 HM) at the highly strategic and vulnerable apex of the Apakun Bridge corridor. The tremendous force of the collision precipitated severe traffic disruption and posed an immediate and existential threat to lives and property within the surrounding vicinity.

In the unfortunate aftermath of the incident, two unsuspecting pedestrians were struck in the course of the collision, while the driver of the Toyota Corolla sustained grave and debilitating injuries.

In a sterling demonstration of professionalism, courage and operational proficiency, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) promptly mobilised to the scene, coordinated an effective rescue intervention and successfully extricated the injured victims from the wreckage. The affected pedestrians and the injured driver were swiftly conveyed to a nearby medical facility, where they are presently undergoing intensive and life-preserving medical treatment.

To safeguard public safety and maintain order throughout the rescue and evacuation operations, personnel of the Ajao Estate Police Division provided robust security reinforcement, thereby forestalling secondary incidents and ensuring an unhindered and seamless emergency response.

In recognition of the inherent danger posed by the truck’s highly combustible cargo, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were strategically deployed to the scene as a precautionary measure, remaining on standby to manage any potential emergency arising from the gas-laden vehicle.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Honourable Sola Giwa, vehemently condemned the alarming frequency of road traffic accidents occasioned by reckless overspeeding, particularly among operators of trucks, tankers and other articulated vehicles.

He described such conduct as egregiously irresponsible, dangerously negligent and wholly antithetical to the Lagos State Government’s overarching aspiration of fostering a safe, orderly and efficiently regulated transportation ecosystem.

Hon. Giwa consequently issued an unequivocal and stern warning to all operators of articulated vehicles, tankers and trucks to comply strictly and without exception with extant traffic laws and prescribed speed limits, emphasising that the Lagos State Government will not hesitate to unleash the full weight of the law on any individual found culpable of endangering human lives through reckless or unlawful driving practices.

He further conveyed his heartfelt prayers and best wishes for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured pedestrians and the driver of the Toyota Corolla, while reassuring residents of Lagos State of the Government’s unwavering commitment to road safety, proactive traffic management and the protection of all categories of road users.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, in reaffirmation of its statutory mandate, reiterates its call for heightened collective responsibility on the highways, urging all motorists to exercise prudence, observe stipulated speed limits and adhere strictly to traffic regulations in the overriding interest of public safety.