A cement-laden truck lost control on Monday morning, killing a traffic officer and two commercial motorcyclists at Badagry Roundabout in Lagos.
The fatal crash occurred around 9:45 a.m. and claimed the lives of an on-duty official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and two okada riders who were reportedly waiting for passengers near the busy junction.
Eyewitnesses said the truck suddenly veered off course while approaching the roundabout, ploughing into the victims and causing panic among motorists and pedestrians.
An official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps stated that the driver attempted to manoeuvre the vehicle to minimize casualties.
“The driver tried to reduce the impact; otherwise, more motorcyclists and vehicles could have been affected,” the official said.
Confirming the incident, Yusuf Sanni, Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the truck driver had been arrested and taken into custody.
“The driver has been taken to Badagry Police Station,” Sanni said, attributing the crash to loss of control and advising motorists to avoid the area.
Authorities disclosed that the victims’ remains were deposited at a hospital mortuary, while the truck was impounded.
CSP Folajimi Agosile, Divisional Police Officer, confirmed that the driver would be arraigned after investigations.
“He will be charged at the Chief Magistrates’ Court upon conclusion of investigations,” Agosile said.
Officials of the FRSC, LASTMA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force were seen clearing the expressway and restoring normal traffic flow following the incident.
Reporting by Pentho Francis