A heavy duty truck has killed many secondary students in Lagos, with many reportedly injured after the driver lost control around Ojodu-Berger area of the metropolis on Tuesday afternoon. Medical officials told Peoples Gazette at least two students were confirmed killed; while students said at least 20 of their colleagues were killed in the accident. The Gazette could not independently verify fatalities as of the time of filing this report on Tuesday afternoon.

Witnesses said the midsize haulage vehicle suffered a brake failure while trying to evade obtrusive Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, towards Ogba from Ojodu-Berger Bus Stop, crushing students of Ojodu Grammar School shortly after closing hours.  A protest that ensued after the incident has since grounded business activities around the area, The Gazette found after visiting the scene.

Students who suffered injuries have been taken to nearby medical facilities, The Gazette learnt.

The truck, which was laden with laundry detergents, was subsequently set alight after the driver reportedly fled the scene. Emergency services have reportedly arrived at the scene, although authorities have yet to issue a statement as to the cause of the fatal crash.

The unidentified driver was later caught and handed over to the police by the students. The police have dispersed the crowd at the scene. Emergency services spokesman Nosa Okunbor told The Gazette that a press statement will be issued shortly.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said they could not ascertain the number of casualties involved in the accident.

In a statement on Tuesday, LASEMA said it received a distress call at 2:56 p.m. about a truck involved in an accident at Ogunnusi Road, Grammar School Bus-stop, Ojodu Berger.

The agency said LASTMA officials and the police who were present at the scene said an unidentified truck lost control and rammed into students returning from School.

“The incident led to severe injuries to some victims, others were discovered dead.

“This unfortunate incident provoked some bystanders into taking laws into their hand by lynching of NPF, LASTMA officials and other first responders at the scene, destroying vehicles and other properties,” the agency said.

“The attack by the protesters led the emergency team to head back to base as the scene was insecure and unsafe for rescue and recovery operations.”

FRSC Sector Commander in Lagos, Olusegun Ogungbemide, said normalcy has been restored to the area and security officials are on ground to control traffic.

The agency said that seven victims were rescued and they have been taken to an emergency centre for treatment.

“An articulated truck was said to have lost control at Grammar School Bus stop along Ogunnusi road, Lagos today Tuesday 7th December, 2021 which caused the death of unverified number of students and leaving many injured,” the statement reads.

“The men of FRSC were called upon by passerby to help intervene after the crash had happened.

“About seven (7) of the victims were rescued and immediately taken to Lagos State Emergency Centre Ojota by FRSC personnel while another road user helped in carrying about seven (7) also to the same emergency centre.

“The general public should disregard the disgruntled information being circulated by some unscrupulous element that FRSC men caused the crash.

“We want to place on record that our men were not in any way involved in the cause of the crash as patrol activities were not ongoing along that axis as at the time of the crash,” the agency added.