By SUNTV Global Channel | January 1, 2026
A tragic road accident on New Year’s Day has thrown commuters and residents into mourning following a devastating crash along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where many passengers were trapped and feared dead.
The fatal incident occurred on Thursday morning opposite the NASFAT junction, a busy stretch of the expressway, when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Lagos rammed into a truck reportedly attempting to make a U-turn.
According to eyewitness accounts and video footage obtained at the scene, the impact of the collision was severe, causing the bus to slide underneath the truck. Several passengers were trapped inside the mangled vehicle, while others were flung from their seats and left unconscious on the road.
SUNTV Global Channel gathered that the crash triggered panic in the area as residents, passersby and emergency responders rushed to rescue victims from the wreckage. Rescue efforts were still ongoing as of press time, with fears that the casualty figure could rise.
A staff member of PUNCH Newspapers, Mrs. Mercy Eboigbe, who was at the scene, captured disturbing footage showing the extent of the damage and the frantic attempts to save lives.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun State, Afolabi Odunsi-Oyewole, disclosed that the command had been alerted to the crash but was still awaiting a comprehensive report.
“We have received information about the accident, and our personnel are responding. Details will be made available as rescue operations and investigations continue,” he said.
The New Year’s Day tragedy has once again raised concerns over reckless driving, illegal U-turns by heavy-duty vehicles, and poor enforcement of road safety regulations on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.
Similar Tragedy Claims UNIJOS Students
In a related development, another fatal road accident recently claimed the lives of eight students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), deepening worries about road safety, particularly for young Nigerians.
The night-time crash occurred around 2:30 a.m. opposite Unity Bank along Zaria Road, involving a trailer and a bus conveying 11 students. The Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that seven students were already dead when emergency teams arrived, while another victim later died at the hospital.
The remaining three students, all male like the deceased, sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The heartbreaking incident has plunged the UNIJOS community into shock and mourning, while also renewing calls for stricter regulations on late-night travel, especially during festive and examination periods.
As Nigerians usher in the New Year, these tragedies serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety awareness, stricter traffic enforcement, and responsible driving to prevent avoidable loss of lives on the nation’s highways.
