A heavy-duty truck has crushed a cyclist in Lagos.
The incident occurred under the LASUTH Bridge along the Airport Road corridor in Ikeja, Lagos.
The DAF articulated truck approached the roundabout from the Maryland axis while the cyclist rode too close to the moving truck in an attempt to navigate the turn, leading to a deadly collision.
Eyewitnesses said the cyclist lost balance during the manoeuvre and was run over by the truck, sustaining fatal injuries and dying instantly at the scene.
Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who were already deployed in the area, responded immediately. The truck driver was apprehended after allegedly attempting to escape and was subsequently handed over to officers at the Ikeja Police Division for further action.
To prevent secondary accidents and restore traffic flow, officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit evacuated the body of the deceased from the roadway.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, described the accident as “painful and avoidable,” while expressing condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts are with the family of the deceased at this very difficult time,” Giwa said. “No family deserves to lose a loved one in such a tragic and sudden manner.”
He warned cyclists and other vulnerable road users against plying major highways and high-speed corridors, stressing that such routes pose serious risks.
Cyclists must understand that expressways and major arterial roads are designed for fast-moving vehicles. Using such routes exposes them to grave danger,” he said.
Giwa added that the state government has consistently invested in public enlightenment campaigns to reduce road crashes involving vulnerable road users.
“We have continued to sensitise cyclists, motorbike riders and other non-motorised road users through public awareness programmes, jingles and safety campaigns. These rules are not meant to punish anyone but to save lives,” he stated.
He urged all road users to obey traffic laws and remain alert at all times, noting that collective responsibility is key to preventing avoidable tragedies on Lagos roads.
The Lagos State Government, through LASTMA, reaffirmed its commitment to strict traffic enforcement, continuous public education and the protection of lives across the state.
