Two killed, nine injured in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway crash

victims were taken to the Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention, while the corpses of the deceased were deposited in the FOS Morgue, Ipara, Ogun State.

The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Command, Mr Clement Oladele, said the accident occurred at Straigate Isara around Ogere, where a construction firm, RCC, had diverted traffic.

He added that another construction company, Julius Berger Plc, that handles the Lagos to Sagamu interchange section of the road, had also diverted traffic on the Mowe and Ibafo corridor.

According to him, the obstruction caused by the crash has been cleared for the free flow of traffic.

Speaking through the Route Commander, Public Education Officer, FRSC, Ogun State Command, Florence Okpe, Oladele said the vehicles involved in the crash were a white Toyota bus with number plate XR 516 KG; a white Toyota bus with number plate KUJ 186 XB; a white Nissan truck with number plate KJA 785 XN; a green Toyota car with number plate LSD 435 FK; a black Kia car with number plate LND 866 BA; and a Leyland truck with no number plate.

He added, “The suspected cause of the multiple crashes was wrongful overtaking caused by excessive speed inappropriate for the construction zone. The injured victims were rescued and taken to the Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical attention.

“The corpses of the dead victims were deposited in the FOS Morgue, Ipara. Thereafter, the obstruction was cleared to restore traffic.”

Oladele commiserated with the families of the crash victims and urged them to contact the FRSC Command in Ogere or the medical facilities for additional information on the victims.

He appealed to motorists to remember that the entire stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was a construction zone and urged them to respect traffic regulations peculiar to construction zones.

He said, “Speed within construction zones should not exceed 50km per hour and overtaking is prohibited at diversion points. These construction areas on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are specifically around Ogun Makin and Ogere, where the construction company, RCC, diverts traffic, and also between Mowe and Ibafo, where another construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has also diverted traffic for the rehabilitation of the corridor.

“Passengers must caution their drivers and those not adhering to the above-mentioned construction rules should be promptly reported to the Federal Road Safety Corps through the FRSC toll-free number 122.”

Oladele, however, said the casualty figure might be more as some victims were taken to Ibadan by their relatives.