By Ashiru Taofeek Adewale
A tragic accident at Ekoro Junction in the Abule-Egba area of Lagos has claimed one life and left four others injured after a tanker lost control and rammed into a car before crashing into a roadside shop.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026.
According to a statement from the agency, a Mack tanker with registration number EKY 900 XY suddenly lost control and collided with a Toyota Corolla saloon car (AAA 823 XY). The force of the impact propelled the heavy-duty vehicle into a nearby shop, causing extensive structural damage to the building.
“The ferocity of the impact occasioned extensive structural devastation and generated palpable panic among pedestrians, traders, and adjoining business operators within the corridor,” the LASTMA statement read.
Emergency responders quickly mobilized to the scene. While one person was confirmed dead from the crash, four others who were trapped in the wreckage were successfully rescued by emergency teams. The survivors, who sustained minor injuries, were given immediate medical attention at the scene.
LASTMA officials were praised for their swift activation of rescue and recovery protocols. Personnel were deployed to manage the resultant traffic gridlock, evacuate the damaged vehicles, and control the large crowd that had gathered to prevent any further incidents. A heavy-duty tow truck was later used to remove the tanker and clear debris from the road to restore traffic flow.
Authorities reported that the driver of the tanker fled the scene immediately after the accident. LASTMA strongly condemned this action and stated that efforts are underway to track him down. Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Ekoro Division, were also present to secure the area and assist in the investigation to determine the exact cause of the brake failure.
The crash caused significant traffic congestion along the routes leading to Abule-Egba, forcing LASTMA officials to remain on site for hours to direct vehicles and implement diversions to ease the flow of traffic.
In his reaction, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased. He used the opportunity to issue a strong warning to drivers, particularly those operating heavy-duty vehicles, on the importance of regular mechanical checks.
Bakare-Oki stressed that brake failure remains a leading cause of fatal accidents and urged drivers to obey traffic rules, especially in busy commercial areas.
He emphasized “the imperative for transport operators particularly articulated vehicle drivers to prioritise routine mechanical inspections with heightened emphasis on braking systems, noting that preventable mechanical deficiencies remain a significant contributory factor in severe road traffic crashes.”
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