Five Men Killed In Early-Morning Collision On Lagos-Badagry Expressway
By Sherif Salau
Five men lost their lives in the early hours of Saturday when a Toyota Camry and an Iveco truck collided on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The accident occurred at Sawmill, near Mowo Bus Stop, according to Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). Initial findings by the agency indicated that overspeeding and reckless driving on the part of the Camry driver contributed to the accident.
A multi-agency response team comprising LASEMA’s Dolphin Team, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Morogbo Division attended the scene swiftly. The remains of the five male victims were carefully recovered and handed over to the FRSC for further action. Two tow trucks were deployed to remove the wrecked vehicles, after which the expressway was cleared and fully reopened to traffic.
LASEMA officials extended their condolences to the families of the deceased and reiterated the need for motorists to exercise higher caution, especially during the early morning hours.
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway is a critical corridor linking the metropolis with neighbouring communities (Lagos and Ogun State) and border areas. Incidents of this nature highlight the persistent risks associated with high-speed travel on major routes when traffic volumes are lower but visibility and driver alertness can be endangered.
Road safety experts and traffic authorities consistently advise motorists to adopt the following practices when travelling in the early hours:
Reduce speed and observe posted limits: Lower traffic density often tempts drivers to exceed safe speeds. Strict adherence to speed limits, particularly on expressway, significantly reduces the severity of collisions.
Ensure full alertness: Exhaustion is a major factor in dawn accidents. Drivers should avoid setting out if they feel sleepy; short rest stops or sharing the driving load are preferable to continuing while tired.
Use headlights appropriately: Even as daylight begins, headlights improve visibility for both the driver and other road users, particularly in areas with limited street lighting or residual mist.
Maintain a safe following distance: Sudden braking or unexpected obstacles (wreckage, potholes, slow-moving vehicles, or animals) are more dangerous when reaction times are reduced.
Minimise distractions: Uses of mobile phone, adjusting controls, or engaging in conversations that divert attention should be avoided completely.
Conduct a basic vehicle check: Confirm that lights, brakes, tyres, and windscreen visibility are in good condition before departure.
Plan the journey: Allow extra time so there is no pressure to rush, and stay informed of any temporary hazards or ongoing road works along the route.
Authorities emphasise that road safety remains a shared responsibility. Compliance with traffic regulations, combined with defensive driving habits, is essential to preventing further loss of life on Lagos roads.
