By Juliet Ezeh
The Ogun State Government has ordered an immediate safety review of heavy-duty vehicles operating along the busy Sango–Ota corridor following a fatal tanker crash that exposed persistent enforcement gaps on one of the state’s most congested routes.
Governor Dapo Abiodun condemned what he described as preventable negligence after a vegetable oil tanker reportedly suffered brake failure and ploughed into vehicles and bystanders at the Old Toll Gate in Ota, leaving seven people dead and two others critically injured.
The early morning crash, which occurred around 8:00 a.m. along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway, involved an articulated vehicle and two other vehicles. Emergency responders confirmed that nine people were affected in total.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor described the tragedy as painful and unacceptable, stressing that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law. He also directed relevant agencies to intensify monitoring and enforcement along the corridor to prevent future occurrences.
The Ogun State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that preliminary investigations point to mechanical brake failure as the immediate cause of the crash. According to the command’s spokesperson, Afolabi Odunsi-Oyewole, FRSC rescue teams evacuated victims to Ota General Hospital, while the remains of the deceased were deposited at the Ifo General Hospital morgue.
Sector Commander Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin urged operators of articulated vehicles to conduct proper mechanical checks before embarking on trips, particularly when navigating densely populated commercial areas.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Lawal Adewale Wasiu, visited the crash site to assess the situation and receive operational briefings from security personnel coordinating rescue and traffic control. He reiterated the need for stricter adherence to traffic laws and cautioned against roadside trading and unsafe roadside activities that heighten risks for commuters.
The latest tragedy has renewed public concerns over the safety of the Sango–Ota axis, a critical industrial and commercial hub that witnesses heavy daily movement of tankers and long-haul trucks. Observers say stronger mechanical inspections, speed regulation and coordinated enforcement among security agencies may be crucial in curbing recurring fatal incidents in the area.
State authorities have pledged sustained collaboration with the police, civil defence, traffic enforcement agencies and road safety officials to tighten compliance and protect lives across Ogun’s highways.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.