Tragedy struck in Lagos on Monday morning as a fatal road accident at Atura Bus Stop, along the Badagry Expressway, claimed the lives of eight people and left several others severely injured. The crash, which occurred around 7:45 AM, involved a commercial bus and a tipper truck in what eyewitnesses described as a horrifying scene of chaos and destruction.
According to reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the accident was caused by a combination of reckless driving, overspeeding, and poor visibility due to early morning fog. The commercial bus, en route to Mile 2 from Badagry, was said to be speeding in an attempt to beat the morning traffic when it collided with a tipper truck making a turn at the Atura Bus Stop intersection.
Eyewitnesses say the impact of the collision was so severe that the bus was crushed from the side, instantly killing several passengers and injuring many others. Local traders and commuters rushed to the scene to help victims before emergency responders arrived. Videos shared on social media show bodies sprawled along the roadside and concerned citizens pulling the injured from the wreckage.
An eyewitness, Mrs. Yetunde Balogun, a trader at the Atura Market, described the scene as heartbreaking. “I was setting up my stall when I heard a loud bang. When I rushed out, I saw the bus smashed into the truck. People were screaming and running. I saw at least five people not moving. It was terrible.”
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), in collaboration with the Nigerian Police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), promptly responded to the incident. The injured were evacuated to nearby hospitals, including the General Hospital in Badagry and the Naval Medical Centre in Ojo. Emergency responders confirmed that eight individuals died on the spot, while others remain in critical condition.
Dr. Olayinka Adebayo, Chief Medical Officer at Badagry General Hospital, confirmed receiving five victims with severe injuries. “Three are stable, but two are in intensive care. We are doing everything possible to save them,” he stated.
LASEMA Director-General, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, who visited the site, expressed deep concern over the recurring accidents on the Badagry Expressway. “This corridor is one of the most dangerous in Lagos due to reckless commercial driving and poor road conditions. We urge the government to fast-track the completion of ongoing road upgrades and install speed-monitoring systems,” he said.
In response, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, issued a statement assuring the public that a full investigation into the crash would be conducted and that those responsible would face legal consequences. “Lives have been lost, and families are in mourning. We cannot allow this impunity to continue on our roads,” he declared.
The Commissioner also urged commercial drivers to adhere strictly to traffic regulations and encouraged transport unions to conduct regular safety training for their members. “Most of these accidents are preventable if drivers exercise caution and obey speed limits,” he added.
The accident has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of road safety laws in Lagos, especially on high-risk corridors like the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. Advocacy groups such as the Road Safety Network of Nigeria (RSNN) have demanded that the government deploy more traffic officers, speed cameras, and public awareness campaigns to reduce fatalities.
“It’s unacceptable that innocent lives are being lost almost weekly due to carelessness. The authorities must declare a state of emergency on road safety in Lagos,” said Mrs. Ngozi Ibe, RSNN coordinator for the South-West region.
As the city mourns the lives lost in this avoidable tragedy, families of the deceased have begun identifying bodies at the General Hospital morgue. For many, it’s a devastating start to the week.
One relative, Mr. Sunday Ojo, who lost his cousin in the crash, was seen weeping outside the hospital. “She was just going to her shop at Mile 2. Now she’s gone,” he said, overwhelmed with grief.
Meanwhile, traffic along the Badagry Expressway was severely disrupted for hours due to the crash and rescue efforts. LASTMA officials have since cleared the wreckage and reopened the road, but normal traffic flow has yet to return.
As investigations continue, Lagosians are once again reminded of the importance of road safety and vigilance. In a bustling city like Lagos, where millions commute daily, one reckless moment can lead to irreversible loss. The government, transport authorities, and the public must work together to prevent future tragedies like the one at Atura Bus Stop.
