A tragic accident involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck occurred on Monday morning at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the collision claimed one life and left four others injured.

In a statement shared on X.com, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, reported that officials led by General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki promptly arrived at the scene and initiated rescue operations. The statement noted that a J5 Ford bus (FKJ 724 YC) and a Mercedes truck (FKJ 746 YC) were involved in the accident. Five individuals were affected, with four victims rescued from the wreckage. Tragically, one person, trapped inside the J5 Ford bus laden with pepper and other perishable goods, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.

Survivors were transported to the Lagos Island General Hospital for immediate medical attention. Preliminary investigations suggest that the J5 Ford bus experienced brake failure while traveling at high speed, leading to the collision with the Mercedes truck.

Emergency teams, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps, and the Nigerian Police Force, collaborated with LASTMA to manage the aftermath of the accident. The incident caused significant traffic congestion, extending from the accident site to the Unilag waterfront. LASTMA reported that their rescue team had cleared the accident scene, removing the vehicles and spilled goods to restore the free flow of traffic along the bridge.

General Manager Bakare-Oki extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and emphasized the need for strict adherence to road safety measures, especially during the festive season. He urged drivers, particularly those operating heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid excessive speeding and to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition, with special attention to brake systems, before embarking on any journey.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vehicle maintenance and responsible driving on Lagos roads.

𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭

A fatal accident involving a J5 Ford bus and a Mercedes truck occurred at Ilubirin, inward Sura, along the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge on Monday morning. According to the… pic.twitter.com/dSPrDHZZ4R

— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) December 16, 2024

Traders at the Caring Heart Market in Okitipupa, Ondo State, have called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for assistance following a fire that destroyed their shops and goods valued at over ₦50 million.

The fire, which broke out at midnight on Thursday, affected 18 shops. The cause remains unclear, but traders lamented significant losses, including cash, deep freezers, generators, stabilizers, fans, umbrellas, and frozen goods.

Mrs. Faye Morayo, a frozen foods seller, shared her plight, revealing that she had just stocked her shop with fish, turkey, and other items for the holiday season. She estimated her losses at over ₦3 million, including three large freezers, two generators, and stabilizers. “I borrowed money to stock my shop. Now, everything is gone. I plead with Governor Aiyedatiwa to help us financially, as we have nothing left,” she said.

Another trader, Bosede Enufo, a widow with six children, said she lost goods worth over ₦7 million. Overwhelmed by the devastation, she also appealed to the governor for support, praying for blessings upon him and his family.

Mrs. Modupe Akimtimiwa, another victim, estimated her losses at over ₦1 million and requested financial aid from the governor, along with assistance in rebuilding the destroyed shops. She noted that many traders were already burdened by loans they had taken to sustain their businesses.

Chief Florence Irinyemi, the Iyalaje of Idepe-Okitipupa, narrated how the market's security guard raised the alarm about the fire around 1:00 am. She expressed gratitude to Oba Michael Adetoye-Obatuga, the Jegun of Idepe Okitipupa, for swiftly contacting the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to cut off power, preventing further damage.

Chief Irinyemi also called on the state government to revive the dormant Okitipupa Fire Service to ensure quicker responses to emergencies. She appealed for financial aid and reconstruction of the affected shops, emphasizing the severe impact on the traders.