A tragic road accident on Ikorodu Road, Lagos, on Sunday claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult woman, while ten other passengers sustained serious injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the fatal crash occurred opposite Olabode House, along the busy stretch between Anthony and Obanikoro.
According to preliminary findings, a red Tata commercial bus travelling from Palmgroove toward Anthony at high speed reportedly lost control, crossed the median, and rammed into a Volkswagen commercial bus conveying passengers in the opposite direction.
The force of the collision was devastating. An adult female passenger died instantly, while an eight-month-old female infant later succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash, throwing the surrounding community into deep mourning.
In a swift emergency response, LASTMA officials, with support from members of the public, carried out rescue operations at the scene. Ten victims—including the drivers of both buses—were pulled from the wreckage. Six injured passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen bus, while four were evacuated from the red Tata bus, all suffering varying degrees of serious injuries.
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) transported the injured victims to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care, while officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) recovered and evacuated the bodies of the deceased woman and infant. Security was provided by officers from the Ilupeju Police Division.
To prevent further incidents, LASTMA cordoned off the area and cleared the damaged vehicles, restoring traffic flow along the major corridor.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, particularly the mother of the infant, who also sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving treatment. He described the crash as a moment of collective grief and prayed for the recovery of those injured.
Bakare-Oki also issued a strong warning to motorists, especially commercial drivers, urging them to obey speed limits and ensure regular vehicle roadworthiness checks, with particular attention to braking systems.
He stressed that reckless driving and disregard for safety measures remain deadly threats on Lagos roads, warning that their consequences are often irreversible and devastating.
