Femi Ashekun/
A tragic road traffic collision along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, has claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult female passenger, while ten others sustained serious injuries.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a press release signed by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment.
The incident occurred earlier on Sunday opposite Olabode House, after Anthony and before Obanikoro, involving a red Tata commercial bus and a Volkswagen commercial bus travelling in opposite directions.
Preliminary findings indicate that the Tata bus, reportedly travelling at high speed from Palmgroove toward Anthony, lost mechanical and directional control, crossed the median barrier and collided with the Volkswagen bus carrying passengers from Anthony toward Palmgroove.
The force of the collision resulted in the instantaneous death of the adult female passenger on the Volkswagen bus, while the eight-month-old infant also tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
In an immediate response, LASTMA operatives, assisted by members of the public, carried out a rescue operation, extricating ten victims, including the drivers of both vehicles.
Six passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen bus, while four others were pulled from the red Tata bus.
All injured victims were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for urgent care.
To prevent further accidents, LASTMA officers secured and cordoned off the scene, efficiently removing the wrecked vehicles and restoring traffic flow along the expressway.
Officials from the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) recovered the remains of the deceased, while security was provided by the Ilupeju Police Division.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound condolences to the bereaved families, especially the mother of the deceased infant, who was also seriously injured and is currently receiving treatment.
He described the incident as a collective moment of grief and prayed for divine consolation for the families and recovery for the injured.
The General Manager used the occasion to issue a stern warning to all motorists, particularly commercial drivers, emphasising strict adherence to speed limits and routine vehicle roadworthiness checks, particularly the braking system, to prevent future tragedies.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response, and sustained public safety enlightenment, urging all road users to treat safety as a non-negotiable priority.
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