A fully loaded six-tyre truck on Saturday plunged off the Oshodi Bridge in Lagos after reportedly suffering a brake failure, leaving one man severely injured.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA,confirmed the incident, noting that its operatives responded swiftly to rescue the victim, prevent further casualties, and restore the flow of traffic in the busy area.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, the truck identified with registration number AKD 135 YK was transporting toner printing materials when it lost control while descending the Oshodi-Oke Bridge inward Mile 2, skidded off the road, and crashed into the terminal ditch below.
“In an exemplary display of operational precision and institutional alertness, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to public safety and traffic orderliness as operatives rescued a severely injured male victim from the wreckage,” Taofiq said.
He added that preliminary investigations suggested the vehicle experienced a critical mechanical malfunction believed to be brake failure while descending the bridge. The driver reportedly lost control before the truck veered off the carriageway and tumbled into the terminal below.
LASTMA officials were said to have arrived at the scene within minutes. They immediately began rescue operations, successfully extricating one male victim with severe injuries. The victim was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
“The driver of the truck has been apprehended and handed over to officers from Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure and other contributory factors,” Taofiq added.
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The agency said that the accident could have resulted in multiple casualties or a major traffic crisis if not for the quick and coordinated intervention of its personnel. Officers promptly diverted traffic, cleared the wreckage, and ensured the scene was safe for other road users.
“To forestall secondary collisions and ensure public safety, LASTMA operatives cordoned off the area, diverted vehicles, and restored normal traffic flow within a remarkably short time,” the statement read.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki, commended the operatives for their swift, disciplined, and professional handling of the emergency.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos roads, particularly during the high-risk ember months, when traffic density and accident rates often increase.
“We remain unrelenting in ensuring the safety of lives and properties. Our officers continue to work round the clock to minimize road hazards through proactive traffic management and timely rescue operations,” Oki stated.
Oki disclosed that heavy-duty recovery vehicles and mini-trucks have been strategically stationed across the five administrative divisions of Lagos, supported by over 2,700 personnel deployed at critical traffic nodes for rapid response.
He emphasized that LASTMA’s 24-hour traffic management operations are aimed at maintaining smooth vehicular movement before, during, and after the festive season.
Oki also urged motorists to regularly service their vehicles and adhere to traffic laws, stressing that preventive maintenance is key to reducing mechanical-related accidents like brake failures.
The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway corridor, where the crash occurred, is one of Lagos’s busiest transport routes, connecting the mainland to the seaport and several industrial zones. It frequently experiences gridlock due to the high volume of heavy-duty trucks and tankers.
Mechanical faults especially brake failures and tyre bursts remain a leading cause of accidents in Nigeria. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps 2022 Compendium, mechanical or vehicle-related defects account for roughly 10 percent of road crashes nationwide.
