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At least six people were killed and 23 others injured early Tuesday after a truck crashed along the Lagos Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, Nigerian road safety officials said.
The lone accident occurred near the Four Square Camp area when a heavy duty truck traveling toward Lagos lost control and veered off the road into nearby bushes. All victims were passengers in the vehicle, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The scale of the casualties highlights ongoing safety concerns on one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors, where fatigue and speeding continue to contribute to deadly crashes.
A statement issued in Abeokuta by Afolabi Odunsi, spokesperson for the FRSC Ogun Command, confirmed that 29 passengers were involved in the incident.
Odunsi said six people died at the scene while 23 others sustained varying levels of injury and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
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The truck, identified as a white and blue DAF vehicle with registration number SNA 287 XA, was also transporting livestock at the time of the crash.
According to the FRSC, the vehicle was carrying 35 cows from northern Nigeria to Lagos State. Twenty nine of the animals died in the crash, while six were rescued without injuries.
Odunsi explained that preliminary investigations showed the driver suffered fatigue and exceeded safe speed limits, causing him to lose control of the truck. “The crash was caused by fatigue and speed violation. The driver lost control and crashed into the bush,” he said.
FRSC officials were immediately deployed to manage the scene and coordinate rescue efforts. The injured passengers and bodies of the deceased were taken to Oreoluwa Hospital, GOFAMINT Camp Hospital, and Victory Hospital in Ogere.
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The accident caused temporary traffic disruption along the expressway as emergency teams cleared the wreckage and began investigations.
Authorities said traffic flow has since improved, though inquiries into the crash remain ongoing.
In response to the incident, the FRSC urged motorists, particularly commercial and heavy duty vehicle operators, to prioritize rest, vehicle maintenance, and speed control.
Odunsi warned that fatigue remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes on Nigerian highways and called on drivers to observe road safety regulations at all times.
The Lagos Ibadan Expressway is a major economic artery linking the southwest to other parts of the country and has recorded repeated accidents involving articulated vehicles in recent years.
