A mother and her child have been crushed to death after two trucks carrying 20-foot containers overturned near Freeman Market, Mile 2, inward Apapa, Lagos State.
The fatal accident occurred over the weekend, leaving the victims trapped beneath the overturned trucks and their heavy container loads.
The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.
He said LASTMA rescue and recovery teams rushed to the scene to evacuate the victims, remove the wreckage and prevent traffic chaos along the busy route.
The affected stretch was temporarily cordoned off, while motorists were diverted through an adjoining service lane to ease congestion and prevent further accidents.
A crane and a heavy-duty tow vehicle were deployed to lift and remove the overturned trucks and their containers.
Police officers also provided security during the recovery operation, while the victims’ remains were taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba for necessary procedures.
Reacting to the tragedy, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, sympathised with the bereaved family and called for a thorough investigation to establish the cause of the crash.
He urged relevant security agencies to investigate possible mechanical faults, overloading, improper cargo distribution, driver negligence and other factors that might have contributed to the fatal accident.
Bakare-Oki also warned truck operators against ignoring road safety regulations, stressing the need for regular vehicle maintenance, proper cargo placement and strict compliance with safety standards.
He emphasised that protecting human life must remain a priority, urging motorists, particularly operators of heavy-duty trucks, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and that all prescribed safety measures are observed.
The LASTMA boss said responsible driving and proper vehicle maintenance were critical to preventing avoidable deaths on Lagos roads.
