Granite-Laden Truck Kills Motorist, Leaves Wife Critically Injured in Lekki–Ajah Crash

Granite-Laden Truck Kills Motorist, Leaves Wife Critically Injured in Lekki–Ajah Crash

A granite-laden articulated truck on Thursday caused a fatal accident at EKEKO (Eleko) Junction along the Lekki–Ajah Expressway in Lagos, killing a male motorist and leaving his wife critically injured.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, describing the crash as a tragic and avoidable road traffic catastrophe.

According to LASTMA’s preliminary findings, the truck, heavily loaded with granite, was travelling at excessive speed from the Epe axis toward Eleko Junction when it reportedly suffered a catastrophic brake failure. The mechanical malfunction allegedly caused the driver to lose control, leading the truck to veer off its lane and collide violently with a Toyota saloon car travelling from Ajah inward Epe.

The impact was said to be severe, with the articulated truck toppling and crushing the smaller vehicle beneath its weight. The driver of the Toyota car became trapped in the wreckage.

Officials of LASTMA, working alongside personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and public-spirited bystanders, extricated the victim from the mangled vehicle. He was, however, pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife, who occupied the front passenger seat, sustained life-threatening injuries and was immediately rescued and rushed for urgent medical treatment. An ambulance deployed by the FRSC evacuated both the deceased and the injured woman for further medical and mortuary procedures.

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The truck driver reportedly fled the scene after realising the gravity of the accident. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including issues of speeding, mechanical failure, and compliance with safety regulations.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a deeply distressing and preventable tragedy. He reiterated the agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of traffic laws, particularly against reckless driving, overspeeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and safety violations involving heavy-duty trucks.

Fuel Tanker Fire on Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway

In a separate development, a 33,000-litre fuel tanker caught fire around midnight at Ile-Zik inward Magboro along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

According to Taofiq, the LASTMA Rescue Team, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, responded swiftly and successfully contained the inferno before it could spread to adjoining properties and vehicles.

No casualties were reported in the tanker fire incident, though traffic was temporarily disrupted as emergency responders battled the blaze.

Renewed Calls for Road Safety Enforcement

The twin incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of articulated trucks and petroleum tankers operating on major Lagos highways. Road safety stakeholders continue to call for stricter enforcement of vehicle roadworthiness checks, speed regulations, and driver accountability to prevent avoidable fatalities.

Authorities have urged haulage operators to prioritise regular mechanical inspections and responsible driving practices to safeguard lives and property on the state’s busy expressways.

Granite-Laden Truck Kills Motorist, Leaves Wife Critically Injured in Lekki–Ajah Crash