No fewer than 10 persons have lost their lives, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a tragic road traffic crash that occurred on Sunday night at Sapade Bridge, along the Ibadan–Lagos motorway in Ogun State.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun Sector Command, confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Education Officer, Superintendent Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi.
According to the statement, the fatal crash occurred at about 8:05 p.m. and involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) Dangote truck with an unknown registration number and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM.
The FRSC disclosed that a total of 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child.
The Corps said 10 victims, comprising nine adult males and one male child, died in the crash, while six others, including four adult males and two adult females, sustained injuries.
Two adult male occupants escaped unhurt.
Giving details of the crash, the FRSC said preliminary investigations identified speed violations, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving as the immediate causes of the collision.
According to the FRSC, the truck driver allegedly reversed on the highway after missing his route, creating a dangerous obstruction for other road users.
“The truck driver reportedly reversed on the highway after missing his direction, while the approaching bus, travelling at high speed, attempted to navigate through the limited space available and rammed into the truck,” the statement said.
The FRSC said its rescue team responded promptly to the emergency, evacuating the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at FOS Mortuary, Ipara.
It added that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, had taken custody of the damaged vehicles, while arrangements were made for their evacuation from the scene.
Reacting to the incident, the Ogun Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, expressed sympathy to the families of those who lost their loved ones and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He urged motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, to desist from reversing on highways and other dangerous traffic practices.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the deceased. We also wish those receiving treatment a quick recovery,” Ogunjobi said.
He added, “Motorists, especially commercial drivers and truck operators, must avoid reversing on highways, excessive speeding, dangerous driving and other traffic violations that continue to claim innocent lives. Missing a route is never an excuse for endangering other road users.”
The Sector Commander further advised drivers to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and make use of designated turning points whenever they miss their routes.
He stressed that strict compliance with traffic rules remains critical to reducing avoidable road crashes and preventing needless loss of lives on Nigeria’s highways.