No fewer than 12 people lost their lives in multiple accidents that occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and in parts of Lagos and Ogun states on New Year’s Day.
PUNCH Metro learnt this from separate statements issued on Thursday by the spokespersons for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi; the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq; and the Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Afolabi Odunsi.
Akinbiyi noted that a road crash at the NASFAT turning along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway left eight people dead and 11 others injured.
He stressed that the accident occurred at about 3 p.m. when a Mazda commercial bus rammed into a truck due to speeding.
He stated, “A fatal crash occurred at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, NASFAT turning, involving an 18-seater Mazda bus with registration number APP 943 XP and a Volvo truck with registration number AKM 547 YQ.
“According to an eyewitness, the 18-passenger bus, which was being driven at excessive speed, rammed into the bottle-laden truck that was attempting to turn towards the Ibadan axis.
“A total of 21 people were involved; 11 sustained injuries, while eight people—including four adult males, two adult females, and two toddlers—lost their lives.”
He noted that the injured victims were taken to the State Hospital, Abeokuta, and Famobis Hospital, while the accident vehicles were taken to the RCCG Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Ogun FRSC spokesperson, Afolabi Odunsi, disclosed that six people were confirmed dead at the scene of the crash.
Odunsi wrote, “At about 14:36 hours on January 1, 2026, an auto crash occurred, and the FRSC rescue team was informed at about 14:40 hours. The team arrived at the scene at about 14:50 hours along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway at the NASFAT junction.
“The crash involved two vehicles — a Mazda commercial bus and a Volvo truck. Eight people were involved; six were killed, while two sustained injuries.”
While blaming the crash on speeding, he noted that the Ogun Sector Commander, Akinwunmi Fasakin, had directed an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
In another update, Akinbiyi disclosed that two people lost their lives in a midnight accident along the Sango–Ijoko Road in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
According to him, the accident occurred when a white Coaster bus was driven carelessly and collided with a minibus, which subsequently crashed into a tricycle.
He identified the vehicles involved as a white Coaster bus with registration number SMK 191 JT, a yellow minibus with registration number AGL 04 YL, and a tricycle with registration number EPE 954 OF.
He added, “According to the police account, the driver of the white Coaster bus drove dangerously, lost control, and hit the minibus from the rear. The minibus then collided with the tricycle in front, resulting in the death of the only passenger on the tricycle.”
In Lagos, the LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, noted that a series of accidents across different parts of the state resulted in the deaths of three people.
According to him, a road accident at Iyana Itire along the Lagos-Apapa Expressway left two people dead.
The accident occurred when a commercial Volkswagen bus collided with a Toyota Sienna car, while a separate collision between a tanker and a car at Ibeju Bridge left two people injured.
He stated, “In a deeply distressing incident that occurred earlier today at Iyana Itire, inward Oshodi, a violent collision between a Volkswagen commercial bus (SMK 850 HK) and a Toyota Sienna car (KSF 329 XL) claimed the lives of two persons.
“In a separate but equally serious accident along Ibeju Bridge, the inward Eleko axis of the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, a DAF tanker collided with an Opel Zafira car (EPE 537 GZ).
“Similarly, at Owode Elede, inward Owode Onirin along the Ikorodu Road corridor, another severe crash involving a Volkswagen commercial bus (AGL 713 XP) and a Toyota Corolla car (AGL 607 JF) left four persons injured. LASTMA operatives, acting with commendable dispatch, rescued the victims and ensured their immediate transfer to the hospital while restoring traffic normalcy.”
In another statement, Taofiq disclosed that a hit-and-run driver caused the death of a truck driver in the Shangotedo area of Eleko, Lagos State.
According to him, a 40-foot containerised truck had fallen by the roadside, prompting the driver to place a caution sign to alert other motorists.
He noted that while the driver was attempting to place the sign, a careless motorist struck him from behind.
He continued, “Upon receipt of distress notifications, the LASTMA 24-hour Night Gang, actively monitoring vehicular flow overnight within the corridor, swiftly deployed to the scene and secured the accident zone to forestall secondary collisions.
“In a deeply distressing turn of events, while the truck driver was conscientiously attempting to deploy a ‘C’ caution sign to alert oncoming motorists, a recklessly speeding vehicle struck him.
“The errant driver absconded without rendering assistance, leaving the victim grievously injured. The impact resulted in the instantaneous death of the truck driver.
“LASTMA rescue operatives promptly evacuated the deceased from the carriageway and handed over the remains to officers of the Elemoro Police Station. A comprehensive investigation is ongoing to identify and prosecute the fleeing driver.”
Reacting to the accidents, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
“He sternly cautioned motorists to exercise heightened safety consciousness, comply strictly with traffic laws, and observe regulated speed limits as stipulated by the Lagos State Government, stressing that excessive speed and disregard for warning signs remain lethal contributors to road fatalities.
“LASTMA reaffirms its unwavering resolve to enforce road safety regulations and appeals to motorists to uphold patience, vigilance, and reverence for human life, especially during emergencies on the highways,” Taofiq added.
The yuletide season has been marred by a series of road crashes claiming several lives.
PUNCH Metro reported on December 29, 2025, that two friends of the renowned British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua, died in an accident along the Danco area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The FRSC attributed the crash to speeding and dangerous driving.
