Two Container Trucks Overturn, Kill Mother and Child at Mile 2, Lagos
Kehinde Adeleye
A mother and her child have been killed after two heavily loaded 20-foot container trucks overturned near Freeman Market at Mile 2, inward Apapa, Lagos, over the weekend.
The victims were trapped beneath the overturned trucks and their containerised cargoes, sustaining fatal injuries, according to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
In a statement, LASTMA said its rescue and recovery personnel responded to the scene to coordinate the evacuation, secure the affected road and prevent further traffic disruption.
The entire roadway was temporarily cordoned off, while motorists were diverted through an adjoining service lane to ease congestion and prevent secondary accidents.
LASTMA’s Rescue and Recovery Team deployed a crane and a high-capacity tow vehicle to remove the overturned trucks and their heavy container loads.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force also provided security throughout the operation to ensure the recovery process was conducted safely and in an orderly manner.
Following the evacuation, the remains of the deceased mother and child were taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for the necessary procedures.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sorrow over the deaths and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
He described the incident as an immeasurable human tragedy and prayed that God would grant the family the strength to cope with their devastating loss.
Bakare-Oki called on relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the accident.
He said the investigation should determine whether mechanical faults, excessive loading, improper cargo distribution, driver negligence or other factors contributed to the trucks overturning.
The LASTMA chief also stressed the need for strict compliance with road safety regulations, regular vehicle inspections, proper cargo securing and responsible driving, particularly among operators of heavy-duty trucks transporting containers.
He urged motorists, especially commercial truck drivers, to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and complied with prescribed safety standards.
“The preservation of human life remains paramount; motorists, especially commercial truck operators, must exercise heightened vigilance, ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles and adhere uncompromisingly to prescribed safety standards,” Bakare-Oki said.
He added that preventive vigilance, sound vehicle maintenance and responsible driving were essential to reducing avoidable fatalities on Lagos roads.
