By Peter Dansu There was grief and outrage in Badagry on Monday morning after a cement-laden truck lost control and crushed three people to...
By Peter Dansu
There was grief and outrage in Badagry on Monday morning after a cement-laden truck lost control and crushed three people to death at the busy Badagry Roundabout along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
Among those killed was an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority who was on official duty at the time of the crash. Two commercial motorcyclists waiting to pick up passengers at about 9.45am also died in the tragic incident.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the truck reportedly veered off course while approaching the junction, ramming into the victims and throwing the usually bustling roundabout into chaos.
An official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps said the truck struck the traffic officer and the two motorcyclists who were stationed by the roadside.
According to him, the driver made a desperate attempt to control the vehicle and limit the damage. He noted that the situation could have been far worse given the number of motorcycles and vehicles at the junction at that hour.
Confirming the accident, the Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Badagry, Mr Yusuf Sanni, said the driver had been arrested and taken into custody at the Badagry Police Station.
He attributed the crash to loss of control and advised motorists to steer clear of the area while emergency responders worked to clear the wreckage.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at a hospital mortuary, while the truck involved in the crash has been impounded at the police station.
The Divisional Police Officer of Badagry Police Station, CSP Folajimi Agosile, confirmed that the driver remains in detention and will be arraigned before the Chief Magistrates Court after the conclusion of investigations.
Officials of the FRSC, LASTMA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force were on ground to manage traffic, evacuate the victims and restore order to the expressway.
Monday’s tragedy has once again raised concerns about heavy-duty vehicles plying the busy corridor and the safety of traffic officials and road users in Badagry.
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