By Peter Dansu A tragic road accident at Mowo Bus Stop along the ever-busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway has once again raised serious concerns ...
By Peter Dansu
A tragic road accident at Mowo Bus Stop along the ever-busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway has once again raised serious concerns about pedestrian safety in the area. A young female hawker, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was critically injured after being struck by a speeding Toyota Camry while attempting to cross the highway Monday evening.
The child, believed to be no more than 10 years old, was hawking oguso (a traditional fire inflator) and brooms when the unfortunate incident occurred. Eyewitnesses told Badagry Today that the vehicle, coming from the Lagos axis at high speed, failed to slow down even as the girl tried to navigate the treacherous crossing.
“She was just trying to cross to the other side of the road to sell her items,” a visibly shaken resident said. “Before we knew it, the car had hit her, and she was lying motionless with blood all over.”
The impact of the collision reportedly left the child with multiple fractures in both legs and severe bruises. Bystanders immediately alerted emergency responders, and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) swiftly arrived at the scene. The victim was subsequently rushed to the General Hospital in Badagry, where she is currently receiving treatment.
The incident has reignited a long-standing appeal by residents of Mowo and surrounding communities for the urgent construction of a pedestrian bridge at the busy junction. Locals say accidents like this have become far too common, with many attributing them to the absence of safe crossing points.
“Mowo is a densely populated area. People cross this highway every day — children, traders, the elderly. Without a bridge, it’s like gambling with your life each time you try to cross,” said Mr. Kehinde Ajose, a community leader. “We’ve lost too many lives here. How many more must be injured or killed before something is done?”
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway, currently undergoing phased reconstruction, has been a hotspot for road accidents over the years. While sections of the highway now boast improved lanes, the lack of pedestrian infrastructure continues to endanger lives.
Community stakeholders are now urging the Lagos State Government and relevant federal agencies to prioritize the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Mowo Bus Stop to prevent further tragedies.
“The time for promises is over,” another resident added. “We need action. That little girl could have been anyone’s child.”
As the injured hawker fights for her life at the hospital, her story has become a painful reminder of the growing need for safer roads and infrastructure that protect the most vulnerable — especially children — in rapidly urbanizing communities like Badagry.
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