A truck lost control and crashed into vehicles and pedestrians, killing six people at the Old Toll Gate area of the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash happened at 8:00 am, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps.
Afolabi Odunsi, the Public Education Officer of the FRSC’s Ogun Sector Command, said in a statement that the driver lost control of the truck, which was carrying vegetable oil, due to brake failure in the crowded toll gate area.
“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 him, the truck rammed into two other vehicles and bystanders.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the truck suffered mechanical brake failure. Six adults—five males and one female—were confirmed dead, while two adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries,” he added.
According to Odunsi, the bodies of the deceased were placed in the morgue at Ifo General Hospital, while the injured were sent to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
He stated that in order to avoid such tragedies, Wasiu Lawal, the Chairman of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, who visited the scene, ordered the roadside vendors near the Old Toll Gate to be removed right away.
“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,” Odunsi said.
The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin, also urged drivers—especially operators of articulated vehicles—to ensure thorough mechanical checks before embarking on journeys.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, corroborated the incident, adding that the truck driver fled the scene.
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, attributing the crash to reckless speeding.
“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, adding that six people died while three others sustained injuries.
According to him, emergency personnel controlled traffic and brought the situation back to normal while the truck was transported to a neighboring police division.
Omolola Odutola, the Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the occurrence and stated that an inquiry into the crash’s cause has begun.
“This morning at about 0930 hrs, 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 were receiving treatment.
The deceased, she said, had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
The police extended condolences to the families of the victims.
