The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has cleared two separate truck incidents that disrupted traffic on Ikorodu Road and at National-Ashade, restoring normal vehicular movement in both areas.
The incidents occurred on Sunday, involving a loaded mixer truck that fell across the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor on Ikorodu Road and another truck carrying two 20-foot containers that tilted while attempting a U-turn at National-Ashade.
LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the agency’s Cobra Response Team stationed at Onipanu was deployed to the Ikorodu Road incident at about 5:53 p.m. following a distress alert.
The team found an Ecocrete Construction Company mixer truck lying across the BRT corridor near Palm Grove, inward Obanikoro, following a lone accident. Preliminary assessment indicated that reckless driving and overspeeding might have contributed to the crash, while the driver reportedly fled the scene.
LASEMA, working with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigeria Police Force, secured the area, managed traffic and began recovery operations.
At about 11:21 p.m., LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team stationed at Cappa responded to another distress call at National-Ashade.
Responders found a MACK truck carrying two 20-foot containers tilted across the road after reportedly suffering a tyre burst while attempting a U-turn. The incident obstructed about 80 per cent of the roadway.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the area was immediately secured and traffic diverted to prevent a secondary accident while recovery operations were arranged.
With the assistance of a private crane, two forklifts, LASEMA’s lowbed and a private tow truck, the containers were recovered and loaded onto the agency’s lowbed. The MACK truck was towed to the LASTMA yard in Oshodi.
The affected road was subsequently cleared and reopened to traffic. No death or injury was recorded in either incident, LASEMA said.
Oke-Osanyintolu commended the agency’s response teams and collaborating agencies for their swift intervention, saying the operation helped prevent prolonged gridlock and possible secondary accidents.
He urged operators of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles to properly maintain their trucks, obey speed limits and traffic regulations, and exercise caution on Lagos roads.
Residents were also advised to report emergencies through the 767 or 112 toll-free emergency lines for prompt response.
