Tragedy struck Tuesday morning along the Soka axis of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway when a multiple-vehicle collision involving trailers and passenger cars resulted in several fatalities and injuries.
The fatal crash occurred when a trailer attempted to reverse out of an abandoned filling station and was suddenly hit by another oncoming trailer. The initial impact sparked a chain reaction as three more trailers following closely behind crashed into the wreckage in rapid succession.
Caught in the devastating pile-up were four Micra taxis and a Toyota Camry. According to eyewitnesses, one of the Micra vehicles was completely flattened under the weight of the trailers, killing the driver and three passengers instantly.
Among the victims were a couple who had just boarded the Micra at the nearby Sanyo bus stop. The woman died on the spot, while her husband, who was seated in the front passenger seat, survived with only minor injuries.
Emergency response teams from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) quickly arrived at the scene to manage the chaos. The deceased were evacuated, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Witnesses also noted that this is not the first tragedy at the location. A similar accident reportedly occurred at the same spot earlier this year, raising concerns over the safety of the stretch and the presence of heavy-duty vehicles near abandoned infrastructure.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for improved road safety measures and stricter regulation of trailer operations along the expressway to prevent future tragedies.
