Several commuters and road users narrowly escaped death on Tuesday when a truck carrying table water lost control and overturned at the busy Toll Gate section of the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, spilling its entire load onto the highway. The incident, which occurred around 4:45 p.m., caused significant disruption to traffic but, thankfully, resulted in no injuries or fatalities. The driver, reportedly travelling from Ilo-Awela toward Toll Gate, lost control due to excessive speed, leading to the vehicle overturning and scattering water containers across the road.
Mr. Salau Hammed, Commander of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Ota Unit, confirmed the details of the accident and emphasized that emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the scene. He noted that the swift actions of TRACE officials and other agencies helped prevent further accidents and ensured the safe evacuation of the overturned truck. “We thank God that no life was lost and nobody sustained injuries in the accident,” Hammed stated, expressing relief over the outcome.
Hammed used the incident as a platform to caution motorists against reckless driving, especially on high-speed corridors like the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway. He urged vehicle owners to conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long journeys. He also appealed to commercial motorcyclists and roadside traders operating along the highway to stop engaging in unsafe practices that could endanger lives.
The TRACE commander specifically warned commercial bus operators against indiscriminate parking and stopping on the highway to pick up passengers. He highlighted that such actions increase the risk of collisions, particularly with large articulated vehicles like trucks. He reiterated TRACE’s commitment to enforcing traffic regulations strictly along the Toll Gate corridor and other sections of the expressway to prevent avoidable accidents.
TRACE officials, working alongside emergency and traffic management agencies, were actively involved in clearing the debris and restoring normal traffic flow. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by speeding and poor road discipline, especially on busy highways. As traffic authorities continue to monitor and enforce safety measures, the hope is that such near-disasters will become increasingly rare on Nigeria’s roads.
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