By Joy Akinsanya | Abeokuta, Jan 1, 2026
A devastating collision on the notoriously busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and left eleven others injured. The crash occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Thursday at the NASFAT turning point, a location known for its complex traffic patterns. The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) confirmed the grim details, highlighting a recurring tragedy on one of Nigeria’s most critical transport corridors.
Preliminary reports from TRACE spokesman Babatunde Akinbiyi indicate the crash involved a Mazda bus and a Volvo truck. According to eyewitness accounts, the fatal sequence began when the truck attempted an illegal or poorly executed U-turn towards Ibadan. A speeding Mazda bus, reportedly unable to stop or maneuver in time, then rammed into the larger vehicle. This scenario underscores a deadly combination of factors common in such tragedies: risky maneuvers by large vehicles and excessive speed, which drastically reduces a driver’s reaction time and magnifies the force of impact.
The human cost was severe. Of the twenty-one people involved, eight lost their lives at the scene. Eleven sustained injuries of varying severity, while two adult males miraculously escaped unhurt. The immediate aftermath saw a coordinated rescue operation involving multiple agencies—TRACE, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ogun State Emergency Management Agency (OGSEMA). This multi-agency response is standard but points to the systemic scale of the road safety challenge.
The injured were rushed to two medical facilities: four to the State Hospital and seven to FAMOBIS Hospital in Lotto, a distribution that often reflects the capacity and proximity of healthcare services during a crisis. The wreckage of the vehicles was towed to the RCCG Police Station for further investigation, which is crucial for determining precise liability and contributing factors. The bodies of the deceased were deposited at a public morgue, beginning the painful process of identification and release to grieving families.
This incident is not an isolated event but part of a distressing pattern on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The road, a vital economic artery, is plagued by a mix of high-speed traffic, inconsistent law enforcement, risky driving behaviors (like illegal U-turns and overtaking), and sometimes inadequate road design or signage at key intersections like the NASFAT turning point. Each crash of this magnitude renews calls for more robust safety measures, including stricter enforcement of speed limits, clearer road markings, dedicated U-turn points, and sustained public awareness campaigns on defensive driving.
As investigations continue, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life on the road and the collective responsibility shared by drivers, transport operators, regulatory bodies, and road engineers to prioritize safety over speed and convenience.
Source: NAN News
