Obaloluwa Darasimi

Six people, on Saturday, lost their lives in separate accidents in different parts of Lagos.

According to a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the first accident happened early in the morning at Sawmill, by Mowo Bus Stop, along the Badagry Expressway.

The second incident involved a multiple road traffic accident in the Ijesha, inward Mile 2, area of Lagos, where a dispatch rider lost his life.

The early morning incident, Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed, was a result of a collision between a Toyota Camry with registration number FKJ 630KS and an Iveco truck with registration number T28081 LA.
Five adult males, who were occupants of the Toyota Camry, died in the accident.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was caused by over-speeding and reckless driving on the part of the Toyota Camry driver.

Explaining the incident at the Ijesha, inward Mile 2, area of Lagos, LASEMA said it discovered that the incident involved a FAW truck with registration number T-30364LA, an Iveco truck with registration number KSF 958 XV, and a dispatch rider.

The FAW truck was said to have hit the Iveco truck while both vehicles were dragging for right of way, and in the process, the Iveco truck struck the dispatch rider from behind.

LASEMA boss further revealed that the multi-agency response team, including the LASEMA Dolphin Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, FRSC and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, was involved in the rescue operation.

The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, while commiserating with the families of the deceased, prayed for the repose of their souls.

He also urged all motorists to desist from over-speeding, wrongful overtaking and other dangerous driving practices, especially during early morning hours.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and adherence to traffic regulations remains critical to saving lives on Lagos roads.

“LASEMA reaffirms its commitment to prompt emergency response and inter-agency collaboration in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of the Lagos State Government, aimed at protecting the lives and property of residents,” Oke –Osayintolu concluded.

By Obaloluwa Darasimi

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, has expressed deep sorrow over the reported deaths of about 40 passengers in a boat mishap in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Adebayo, in a condolence message on Saturday, described the incident as a “heartbreaking tragedy” that had plunged families and the entire community into grief.

He commiserated with the families of the victims, the people of Goronyo and the Sokoto State Government, urging authorities to intensify rescue and recovery efforts.

According to reports, the boat, which was carrying about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, capsized on Thursday. Rescue operations were reportedly still ongoing, with the exact number of casualties yet to be officially confirmed.

Adebayo said the loss of so many lives in a single incident was devastating, stressing that the tragedy should not be treated merely as another unfortunate accident.

He commended rescuers, local fishermen, community members and others involved in the search and recovery efforts, while calling on relevant authorities to do everything possible to account for the victims.

The SDP candidate also expressed concern that the incident occurred barely a year after another boat mishap in Sokoto claimed 10 lives.

In September 2025, a boat carrying residents of Zalla-Bango village who were reportedly fleeing armed bandits capsized in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, resulting in the drowning of all 10 passengers on board.

Adebayo said the recurrence of deadly boat accidents in the state should compel the authorities to take urgent and concrete measures to strengthen water transportation safety.

“Beyond condolences, we must learn from such tragedies and take concrete measures to prevent avoidable deaths. The safety of Nigerians travelling by waterways must receive the same seriousness accorded to other forms of transportation,” he said.

He urged the government to strengthen safety regulations, improve monitoring of boats and waterways, and ensure that adequate emergency response mechanisms were available to protect passengers.

Adebayo prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died in the tragedy and for God to grant their families and loved ones the strength to bear the painful loss.