The Crash scene

A fatal road traffic crash which occurred January 18th, 2026 claimed the lives of two individuals, leaving others severely injured on Kara Bridge inward Mowe, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. According to a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the incident occurred around 3:15 p.m, involving a truck conveying bags of flour which lost control and rammed into several other vehicles: a Toyota Corolla, a Toyota RAV4 SUV bearing plate LSR-618-HS (Lagos), and two loaded interstate Mazda buses with plates APP-835-XY (Lagos) and JJJ-538-YE (Lagos).

Emergency responders from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) were deployed to the scene to manage traffic and carry out rescue operations and those injured were rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment.

This tragic event reinstates the urgent need for vigilance and strict compliance to road safety rules and regulations. It also serves as a clarion for increased accountability among road management authorities in Nigeria.

The Special Adviser (SA) to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, urged motorists to be prudent and safety conscious while on the road. According to him, this underscores the importance of adhering to regulated speed limits, exercising patience and staying vigilant in zones characterised by high pedestrian movements.

In retrospect, GreenLight Initiative calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria, relevant ministries, and state authorities to take urgent and proactive steps to strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS), particularly through increasing investment and sealing the Federal Road Safety Corps’ EMS capabilities. Rapid emergency response is critical in saving lives after crashes occur, every minute counts

We urge the government to:

● Enhance EMS Funding. The government should actively invest into the FRSC and state agencies to procure advanced life-support equipment and provide specialized trauma training for responders.

● Ensure mandatory truck inspections. In order to mitigate road accidents caused by faulty vehicles, the government needs to ensure rigorous and frequent checks for all haulage vehicles to ensure braking systems and load capacities meet safety standards.

● Create public awareness campaigns. Road safety is everyone’s business. Hence, the need for intensified education for interstate drivers on the dangers of over-speeding and the necessity of mandatory rest periods to combat driver fatigue.

● Implementation of severe legal consequences for transport companies and owners whose negligence leads to avoidable loss of life.

Individuals are most vulnerable on the road. No one is immune from the hazards of unsafe roads. Let this ordeal serve as a catalyst for real reforms that will save lives across Nigeria roadways.

Signed:

Star Okereh,
Manager, GreenLight Initiative.