Ten people have been confirmed dead and six others injured in a devastating crash on the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway near Saapade Bridge in Ogun State.

The collision involved a white Sinotruk truck and a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus with registration number EKY 290 YM. According to the Ogun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC, 18 people were on board the two vehicles at the time of the crash.

Spokesman for the command, Afolabi Odunsi, said the victims comprised 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child. Nine adult men and the child died, while four adult males and two adult females sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt.

Preliminary findings by FRSC investigators point to a combination of speed violation, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving. The truck driver was said to have missed his route and then attempted to reverse on the busy expressway, creating an unexpected obstruction in the path of oncoming traffic.

Odunsi explained that the Toyota bus, which was reportedly travelling at high speed, approached the scene and tried to squeeze through the narrow space left on the carriageway. The driver lost control and rammed into the stationary truck, resulting in the high casualty figure.

FRSC rescue teams were deployed to the scene, where they evacuated the injured to Victory Hospital in Ogere for treatment. The bodies of the deceased were taken to the FOS Mortuary in Ipara.

Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, have taken custody of the wrecked vehicles, while arrangements have been made for their removal from the highway. The crash scene has since been cleared and normal traffic flow restored along the corridor.

Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, commiserated with the bereaved families and wished the injured victims a quick recovery. He condemned the conduct of the truck driver and warned motorists, especially commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, speeding and other reckless behaviour.

Ogunjobi urged all road users to obey traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes, stressing that such basic precautions could avert tragedies and save lives on Nigeria’s major highways.