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At least eight individuals sustained various injuries on Friday when a commercial bus, known locally as a Molue, collided with the road median at the Ahmadiya axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Adebayo Taofiq, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to Taofiq, the accident occurred after the bus driver swerved abruptly to avoid pedestrians standing at a bus stop. In the process, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which subsequently struck the median and overturned, leaving passengers and the driver injured.
“The accident involved a bus with registration number KTU 801 XM. Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver’s excessive speed, fueled by impatience, caused the vehicle to lose control,” Taofiq said.
“To avoid colliding with another commercial bus and pedestrians near the roadside, the driver made a sharp turn, resulting in the crash,” he explained.
The incident left eight people injured, including five men, three women, and the bus driver, who suffered a fractured left arm.
Emergency responders from LASTMA and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) quickly arrived at the scene. The injured were promptly taken to Ile-Epo General Hospital for medical attention.
Speaking on behalf of the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, Taofiq extended sympathy to the victims and emphasized the importance of road safety.
“Drivers must strictly adhere to traffic rules, including observing speed limits set by the Lagos State Government,” Bakare-Oki urged.
He also advised commercial and private vehicle operators to prioritize regular maintenance of critical systems, such as brakes, to prevent avoidable accidents.