Container Crushes Tricycle, Kills Two Including Police Officer at Ijora Causeway

Container Crushes Tricycle, Kills Two Including Police Officer at Ijora Causeway

A tragic accident involving a fully laden 40-foot container truck claimed two lives, including that of a serving police officer, on Monday at the Ijora Causeway, inward Ijora 7Up, Lagos.

The truck, with registration number XP 368 AKD, reportedly lost control while attempting a difficult maneuver beneath the Ijora Bridge and overturned on a commercial tricycle (KJA 364 QN) carrying passengers.

According to preliminary reports by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the impact fatally crushed two passengers instantly — the police officer and a female commuter. Security operatives later evacuated the remains of the officer to a Yaba morgue, while relatives of the female victim collected her body from the scene.

In a rescue operation led by LASTMA in collaboration with emergency agencies, two other victims — including the tricycle operator — were pulled out alive but with severe leg fractures. They were rushed by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to Jimsan Hospital, Gasikiya, Ijora, for urgent treatment.

The chaotic scene nearly escalated into mob action as onlookers attempted to set the truck ablaze. However, joint police detachments from Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri Divisions quickly restored order by creating security cordons that protected the emergency responders.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, describing the incident as “deeply grievous and most regrettable.” He also prayed for the quick recovery of the survivors and praised emergency and security operatives for their professionalism in averting further tragedy.

Bakare-Oki further appealed to truck drivers and articulated vehicle operators to exercise extreme caution, especially when navigating bridges, intersections, and crowded routes, to prevent similar disasters.