A mother and her child were killed when two container trucks overturned near Freeman Market, Mile 2, inward Apapa, Lagos, over the weekend.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said its rescue team responded to the accident and worked to remove the overturned trucks and their containers.
In a statement on Sunday, LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Taofiq Adebayo, said the victims were trapped beneath the trucks and died at the scene.
Adebayo said LASTMA personnel cordoned off the affected section of the road and diverted traffic through an adjoining service lane to ease congestion and prevent further accidents.
He said the authority deployed a crane and a heavy-duty tow vehicle to remove the overturned trucks and their containers.
Adebayo added that officers of the Nigeria Police Force provided security during the recovery operation, while the victims’ remains were taken to the Police Mortuary in Yaba.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the bereaved family over the loss.
He called on relevant security agencies to investigate the accident and determine the circumstances that led to the trucks overturning.
Bakare-Oki said the investigation should establish whether mechanical faults, overloading, improper cargo distribution, driver negligence or other factors contributed to the accident.
He also urged truck operators to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy, secure their cargo properly and comply with road safety regulations.
The LASTMA general manager stressed that responsible driving, regular vehicle inspections and compliance with safety standards were essential to preventing avoidable deaths on Lagos roads
