The Lagos State Government has condemned a road crash involving a gas-powered truck and a private car at Apakun Bridge in Oshodi, warning that reckless speeding by heavy-duty vehicle operators will no longer be tolerated.

The collision, which occurred at the peak of Apakun Bridge inward Oshodi, involved a truck conveying Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and a Toyota Corolla, leaving two pedestrians and the car’s driver seriously injured.

Preliminary security reports indicate that the truck, with registration number EKY 120 YK, was travelling at an excessive speed when it rammed into a moving silver Toyota Corolla (EKY 289 HM).

The impact caused traffic disruption along the busy corridor and raised safety concerns due to the combustible nature of the truck’s cargo.

Two pedestrians were hit during the crash, while the Corolla’s driver sustained severe injuries.

Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) arrived quickly and coordinated rescue operations, pulling victims from the wreckage and transporting them to a nearby hospital for urgent treatment.

Police officers from the Ajao Estate Division secured the area to prevent further incidents and allow emergency responders to work without obstruction.

Because the truck was carrying gas, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were placed on standby to manage any possible explosion or fire outbreak.

Government reaction

Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Honourable Sola Giwa, strongly criticised the growing trend of overspeeding among operators of trucks and tankers.

He described the behaviour as “egregiously irresponsible, dangerously negligent and wholly antithetical to the Lagos State Government’s aspiration of a safe and regulated transport system.”

Hon. Giwa warned that drivers who violate traffic laws would face strict sanctions.

He said the government “will not hesitate to unleash the full weight of the law on any individual found culpable of endangering human lives through reckless or unlawful driving practices.”

He also offered prayers for the recovery of the injured pedestrians and driver, while reassuring residents of the state’s commitment to road safety.

Why it matters

Oshodi is one of Lagos’ busiest transport hubs, with thousands of commuters, traders and pedestrians moving through the area daily.

What’s next

LASTMA says it will continue enforcement operations targeting speeding, traffic violations and unroadworthy trucks across Lagos.

The agency has also renewed calls for motorists to take personal responsibility on the roads.

In a statement, LASTMA urged drivers to “exercise prudence, observe stipulated speed limits and adhere strictly to traffic regulations in the overriding interest of public safety.”

The Lagos State Government has disbursed ₦40 million in financial support to the families and dependants of 20 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who died while carrying out their duties.

Each family received ₦2 million at a presentation ceremony held on Tuesday at the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

State officials said the payment was not compensation for loss of life but a symbolic show of appreciation for officers who died serving the public.

‘This is not compensation’

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said no amount of money could replace human life.

“This support is not compensation,” he said.

“It is an extra gesture by the governor to show appreciation for men and women who worked in very dangerous conditions and paid the ultimate price.”

Mr Giwa described traffic enforcement as a high-risk job, noting that officers face daily threats from aggressive drivers and unsafe road conditions.

He added that existing laws already provide benefits for civil servants who die in service, making the ₦40m payment an additional intervention by the state.

“This is also to thank the families for giving us their fathers, mothers and children to serve Lagos,” he said.

Why it matters

LASTMA officers are often on the front line of road safety enforcement in Nigeria’s busiest city, managing traffic congestion, accidents and law enforcement risks.

For families left behind, the loss is both emotional and financial.

Public policy experts say such gestures can help rebuild trust between government institutions and public servants, especially in high-risk sectors.

Government reassures officers

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, said the initiative reflects a people-centred approach to governance.

He said recognising sacrifice sends a strong message to serving officers.

“It assures those still in service that dedication and sacrifice will always be honoured and remembered,” he said.

LASTMA: ‘Their legacy lives on’

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, describing it as consistent and humane.

“These officers were patriots,” he said.

“Their discipline, courage and service will remain permanently written in the history of this agency.”

In a separate interview, Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA officers benefit from insurance coverage, medical support and special life insurance, describing the welfare package as among the best for paramilitary agencies in Nigeria.

He added that families of officers killed in the line of duty have previously received up to ₦10 million, alongside other benefits.

Safety, training and prevention

Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA has intensified training and retraining programmes over the past two years to reduce risks.

He said officers are taught how to approach vehicles safely and professionally, with emphasis on protecting lives including their own.

Voices from the families

Adding an emotional note, Mrs Angela Coker, widow of LASTMA’s pioneer General Manager, spoke directly to widows and widowers at the event.

She said she became a widow over 22 years ago and raised her children alone for over two decades.

“Be strong for your children,” she said.

“Talk to them, guide them, pray for them. God takes care of children.”

She encouraged families to use the financial support for education and long-term welfare.

‘We are grateful’

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Adeyemo Rotimi thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for remembering their families.

She said the gesture reassured them that their loved ones’ sacrifices had not been forgotten.

What’s next

State officials say Lagos will continue to review welfare packages for traffic officers, including long-term benefits and safety measures, to reduce fatalities and support families.

Emergency responders in Lagos have averted a potentially devastating fire after a diesel tanker crashed on Liverpool Bridge along the Mile 2 corridor in Apapa, with residents seen scooping the spilled fuel.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), working with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, said the articulated Iveco tanker carrying diesel lost control and toppled on the bridge.

Officials said the impact damaged the tanker and caused a large volume of diesel to spill across the bridge and the area beneath it.

Authorities said the situation became extremely dangerous when residents and passers-by rushed to scoop the highly flammable fuel, increasing the risk of fire or explosion.

LASTMA said its operatives arrived swiftly, dispersed the crowd engaged in fuel scooping, cordoned off the area and activated inter-agency emergency response protocols.

The agency said the intervention “effectively neutralised the imminent threat of combustion and prevented what could have escalated into a devastating inferno”.

The tanker driver, who sustained serious injuries, was rescued by LASTMA officials and taken to the General Hospital in Apapa for urgent medical care.

Police officers from Area ‘B’ Command in Apapa were deployed to secure the scene, control the crowd and support traffic management efforts.

An empty tanker was later brought in to transfer the remaining diesel, while traffic was diverted to the opposite carriageway to ensure public safety and ease congestion.

Why it matters

Apapa is a critical commercial corridor, and tanker accidents in the area have previously resulted in deadly fires and major economic losses.

Safety experts say fuel scooping, often driven by hardship, puts lives at immediate risk and can trigger explosions with far-reaching environmental and infrastructural damage.

An urban safety analyst warned that diesel spills on bridges are particularly hazardous because fuel can spread quickly and ignite from minor sparks.

Government reaction

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, praised the rapid and coordinated response of emergency agencies.

“Their collective professionalism averted what could have culminated in another tragic fire disaster,” he said.

Mr Giwa also warned residents to stop scooping fuel at accident scenes involving diesel or petrol, describing the practice as reckless and life-threatening.

What’s next

LASTMA said monitoring continues in the area while investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response and the protection of lives and public infrastructure.