A mother and her child have died after two container trucks overturned at Mile 2, near Freeman Market, inward Apapa, in Lagos State.

The fatal incident involved two trucks carrying 20-foot containers, which overturned and trapped the victims beneath the vehicles and their cargo.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

According to Taofiq, the victims sustained fatal injuries in the crash.

LASTMA rescue and recovery personnel responded to the scene to evacuate the victims, remove the overturned trucks and manage traffic.

The affected road was temporarily cordoned off, while motorists were diverted through an adjoining service lane to prevent traffic congestion and further accidents.

The agency deployed a crane and a high-capacity tow vehicle to remove the trucks and their containers. Police officers also provided security during the recovery operation.

The victims’ remains were subsequently taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.

LASTMA Calls for Investigation

Reacting to the tragedy, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the crash.

Bakare-Oki urged relevant security agencies to investigate whether mechanical defects, excessive loading, improper cargo distribution, driver negligence or other factors contributed to the accident.

He also called on truck operators to comply with road safety regulations, conduct regular vehicle inspections and ensure that their cargoes are properly secured.

The LASTMA boss stressed that preserving human life must remain a priority, urging motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty articulated vehicles, to maintain roadworthy vehicles and adhere to prescribed safety standards.

He added that responsible driving and proper vehicle maintenance were essential to preventing avoidable deaths on Lagos roads.

Another Truck Crash Recorded in Ogun

The latest incident comes days after a motorboy was killed in a separate truck crash along Mile 6, Ajebo Road, in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The crash, which occurred at Agbedejobi village on Wednesday, also left three people, including the truck driver, injured.

The cement-laden trailer reportedly suffered brake failure while descending a bridge. Its driver reportedly lost control while attempting to avoid a car ahead, causing the vehicle to plunge into a ditch before veering onto a railway track and spilling its contents into a nearby bush.

The incident was reported by PUNCH Newspapers, which cited the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency spokesperson, Babatunde Akinbiyi.

The two incidents have drawn attention to the risks associated with heavy-duty vehicles on Nigerian roads, with LASTMA urging operators to prioritise vehicle maintenance and compliance with safety regulations.