A fully-laden 40-foot Mack container on Sunday suffered a brake failure and crashed into a minibus, otherwise known as korope, killing the driver along Ipaja road in Lagos State. 

Spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, however stated that three others were rescued from the crash while the truck driver, who tried to flee the scene, was nabbed.

Mr Adebayo said LASTMA, “Deeply regrets to announce a harrowing road traffic incident that transpired in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025, along Old Ipaja Road by Agbotikuyo, enroute to Iyana Ipaja.

“The catastrophic collision involved a fully-laden 40-foot Mack containerized truck (MUS 729 XY), which, reportedly due to catastrophic brake failure, toppled onto a commercial minibus — colloquially referred to as ‘korope.’ Tragically, the devastating impact led to the instantaneous death of the minibus driver, whose life was abruptly cut short in the line of duty,” Mr Adebayo stated.

The spokesperson also stated that officials, “Deployed along the corridor swiftly mobilized and rescued three passengers — two females and one male — unhurt but were immediately handed over to medical emergency responders for clinical attention.”

Noting that the fallen articulated truck obstructed over 50 percent of the arterial carriageway, causing a traffic gridlock in adjoining routes, notably Shofunde and Olufunlayo, he stated that LASTMA officials instituted comprehensive traffic diversion and control protocols to alleviate the congestion and maintain orderliness.

“It is worthy of note that the truck driver, in a failed attempt to abscond from the scene, was apprehended by vigilant LASTMA officers and promptly transferred to security personnel from both the Elere and Area ‘G’ Police Divisions, who had been duly notified by LASTMA officials,” he added.

He said also stated that response teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit, Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS), and the police in collaboration with the LASTMA rescue team, secured the accident scene, recovered the remains, and restored traffic and civil normalcy.

Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, extended his condolences to the bereaved family, and reminded operators of articulated vehicles to exercise utmost mechanical diligence.

Mr Giwa said, “Truck operators must adhere strictly to safety protocols. It is non-negotiable that every articulated vehicle undergoes thorough mechanical inspection — especially the braking systems — before venturing onto our roads. Preventable tragedies like this underscore the need for unwavering compliance.”