A major road accident has occurred on the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, sparking fresh concerns about safety on the crucial corridor. An 18-seater commercial bus violently collided with a truck, resulting in an unconfirmed number of fatalities and leaving several passengers trapped.
Details of the Tragic Collision
The incident happened on Thursday, January 1, 2026, near the NASFAT area of the expressway. Preliminary reports indicate that a truck traveling from the Ibadan direction was attempting a U-turn when the oncoming bus rammed into it. The impact was devastating, leaving the bus severely mangled and wedged.
Emergency responders, including personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), were swiftly deployed to the scene. Their immediate focus was on rescuing trapped victims and managing the situation. The spokesperson for the FRSC in Ogun State, Afolabi Odunsi-Oyewole, confirmed the accident but stated that detailed reports on casualties were still being awaited.
Echoes of Anthony Joshua's Recent Ordeal
This tragic event comes barely 72 hours after a separate high-profile accident on the same highway involving former world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua. The 36-year-old British-Nigerian boxer was involved in a crash that claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Joshua sustained minor injuries and was discharged from the Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja after about 48 hours of observation and treatment. According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, Joshua and his mother visited a funeral home in Lagos to pay their final respects before his friends' bodies were repatriated.
Investigations into Joshua's accident are ongoing, with the driver potentially facing prosecution for alleged reckless driving. The Ogun State Police Command confirmed they are investigating the cause of that collision.
Public Outcry Over Expressway Safety
The back-to-back accidents have ignited a firestorm of reactions on Nigerian social media, with citizens expressing deep worry over the safety of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Many users pointed to the frequency of fatal crashes on the road, demanding urgent government intervention.
Ebenezer Obiekwe questioned, "Lagos-Ibadan Expressway always. Something must be wrong with that road." Another user, Aliu Muhammed, lamented, "This particular road has claimed so many lives, hope something is done quickly ooo." The sentiment reflects a growing public frustration with the state of the critical infrastructure.
The expressway, a major link between Nigeria's economic capital and other southwestern regions, has been under reconstruction for years. However, these incidents highlight persistent dangers, including risky maneuvers by drivers and possible road design issues.
As rescue operations continue at the latest crash site, authorities are urged to not only respond to the immediate tragedy but also to implement lasting solutions to curb the incessant loss of life on this vital highway.
