The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says a midnight accident on Otedola Bridge claimed two lives on Monday, warning against excessive spending.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said that the accident occurred inward the Berger axis of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.

He also said that two persons sustained serious injuries in another accident near the University of Lagos waterfront, inward Lagos Island on the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to Bakare-Oki, both accidents occurred in the early hours of Monday.

“Preliminary intelligence from the Otedola Bridge incident reveals that an unregistered vehicle bearing two occupants, including the driver, was speeding when it collided with tremendous force into a moving heavily-laden trailer at approximately 2.30 a.m.

“The sheer violence of the impact proved fatal, culminating in the instantaneous demise of both occupants.

“In a disturbing twist, the operator of the involved trailer absconded from the scene with the articulated vehicle,” he said.

He said that a team from LASTMA deployed within the Otedola Bridge corridor for nocturnal surveillance and preemptive traffic control responded fast.

He added that the victims were evacuated from the primary carriageway to avert consequential dangers, after which the mangled vehicle was extricated from the expressway.

“Complementary security reinforcement was provided by officers of the Isheri Police Division, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit subsequently conducted the formal conveyance of the remains in accordance with established emergency and public-health procedures,” he said.

The LASTMA boss said the the Third Mainland Bridge accident happened at 5.00 a.m.

“The accident involving an empty tanker and a pure-water distribution van (SMK 67 XH) resulted in severe injuries to two individuals.

“The victims received prompt first-aid stabilisation from the Lagos State Ambulance Service before being transported to a nearby medical facility for further treatment,” he said.

He said that in spite of the distressing nature of both occurrences, LASTMA officers maintained vigilance and continued to regulate traffic on both corridors, ensuring the safety of unsuspecting motorists and preventing additional operational hazards.

Bakare-Oki sympathised with the bereaved families, regretting that the accidents were caused by excessive speeding and disregard for established road safety norms.

He reiterated the agency’s insistence on adherence to government-prescribed speed limits to preserve lives and avoid avoidable tragedies.