Tragedy struck in Ogun State on Saturday as 18 people, including a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officer, lost their lives in a series of horrific accidents along the Sagamu–Ikorodu road, just hours after another crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed seven lives.
According to a statement released by the FRSC Public Education Officer in Ogun, Route Commander Florence Okpe, the second accident occurred during a rescue operation following an earlier crash involving seven vehicles. In the course of the rescue, another vehicle suffered brake failure and rammed into the responders, killing an FRSC official on duty.
Okpe, speaking on behalf of Sector Commander Fasakin Akinwumi, said 22 persons were involved in the Sagamu-Ikorodu road crash, which happened around 4:00 p.m. on April 5. Among them were 14 males, 6 females, and one child. Four persons sustained injuries, while 18 were confirmed dead.
“The crash involved seven vehicles including a Toyota Hiace bus (AGL752YC), two Daf trucks (one unmarked), a Honda car (HT680), a pickup van (STF10204), a motorcycle (AGG448Q), and a Bajaj bike (PKA214WS),” she noted.
The injured victims were taken to Dasochris Hospital in Gbaga, while the bodies of the deceased, including the FRSC officer, were deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.
The first crash earlier that day had already raised alarm about driver behavior on the state’s roads. The second accident, which claimed even more lives, drew sharp concern from the FRSC leadership.
“The Sector Commander is deeply pained by the level of recklessness exhibited by some drivers and the unfortunate loss of lives, especially the death of a dedicated rescue officer,” Okpe stated.
She emphasized that both incidents were largely due to excessive speeding and brake failure. The FRSC has urged all motorists to obey speed limits, regularly service their vehicles, and observe road signs to prevent future tragedies.
These twin accidents highlight ongoing concerns over road safety in Nigeria, particularly along busy highways in the southwest region, where enforcement and vehicle maintenance remain pressing challenges.
