SIX KILLED AS TRUCK SUFFERS BRAKE FAILURE, RAMS VEHICLES, PEDESTRIANS AT OGUN TOLL GATE

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Tragedy struck on Tuesday morning when a truck reportedly suffered brake failure and ploughed into vehicles and pedestrians at the Old Toll Gate area of the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State, killing six people and injuring others.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed that the fatal crash occurred at about 8:00 a.m.

In a statement, the Ogun Sector Public Education Officer of the FRSC, Afolabi Odunsi, said the truck, loaded with vegetable oil, lost control after suffering mechanical brake failure in the busy toll gate corridor.

“A tragic road traffic crash occurred today at approximately 08:00 hrs at the Old Toll Gate, Ota. The incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to others,” Odunsi said.

According to preliminary investigations, the articulated vehicle rammed into two other vehicles and bystanders. Six adults—five males and one female—were confirmed dead, while two adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the Ifo General Hospital morgue.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, corroborated the incident, attributing the crash to excessive speeding.

He identified the vehicles involved as a Mack truck with registration number EKY 913 YH, a Suzuki minibus with number plate SMK 16 YK, and a tricycle with number plate AAA 840 QM.

“The crash occurred when the driver of a Mack tanker truck, travelling from Ota towards Lagos, drove at excessive speed and rammed into several vehicles, including a tricycle and pedestrians,” Akinbiyi said. He added that the truck driver fled the scene after the accident.

Emergency responders later towed the truck to a nearby police division and worked to restore traffic flow in the area.

Odunsi further disclosed that the Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Wasiu Lawal, who visited the crash site, ordered the immediate removal of illegal roadside traders operating around the Old Toll Gate.

“To forestall a recurrence at this high-risk corridor, the chairman directed the immediate dislodgement of illegal traders occupying the road verges and pledged the council’s support to the FRSC and other security agencies in enforcing the directive,” he said.

The Ogun Sector Commander of the FRSC, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, urged drivers, particularly operators of articulated vehicles, to carry out thorough mechanical checks before embarking on trips.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that investigations had commenced.

“This morning at about 0930hrs, a fatal motor accident occurred at Ilo-Awela Junction, Toll Gate, along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway involving a Mack tanker truck, a Suzuki bus, a tricycle and pedestrians,” she said.

She added that several victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Ota, where six were later confirmed dead, while others are receiving treatment. The deceased have been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

The police extended condolences to the families of the victims as investigations continue.