An eight-month-old baby was rescued unharmed on Thursday after a multiple-vehicle collision at the Otedola Bridge end of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, the early-morning accident involved four vehicles: a Hydra truck (APP 261 FA), an LT commercial bus (EPE 574 YC), a Ford vehicle (GG 283 XQ), and an unregistered Mark flat-body truck.
Preliminary investigation revealed that four pedestrians, one of whom had the infant strapped to her back, were attempting to cross the expressway when the LT commercial bus—reportedly travelling at high speed—rammed into them.
The impact triggered a secondary chain collision involving the three other vehicles.
Taofiq said the baby miraculously escaped injury, while the four pedestrians sustained severe injuries. “The victims were stabilised and conveyed to the Lagos State Accident & Emergency Centre by Tollgate for urgent medical intervention,” he said.
The LASTMA director commended officers of the Alausa Police Station for providing operational support throughout the rescue operation.
He added that all wrecked vehicles were carefully cleared from the road to restore traffic flow toward Tollgate and prevent prolonged gridlock along the busy corridor.
Taofiq noted that LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, sympathised with the injured victims and wished them a swift recovery. He also urged pedestrians to always use designated footbridges “for their own safety.”
Recurring Accidents on Otedola Bridge
The Guardian reports that the Otedola Bridge corridor has become notorious for accidents in recent years.
- March 2025: A gas-laden tanker overturned and ignited a massive fire that destroyed a church, a bungalow, and at least four vehicles. While initial reports indicated no casualties, the FRSC later confirmed two deaths and five injuries, attributing the crash to a mechanical failure—specifically, brake failure in one of the heavy-duty vehicles.
- April 2025: A red salon car lost control, struck another vehicle, and plunged off the bridge. The driver and three passengers were rescued with varying degrees of injury.
- January 2025: Four articulated trucks collided on the bridge due to reckless driving. One man died after being trapped beneath a vehicle, while three others were hospitalised.
Authorities continue to urge motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution along the corridor.
