Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic accident at the Ota Toll Gate along the busy Sango–Ota corridor, which claimed seven lives and left two others critically injured.
The fatal crash, involving a trailer tanker reportedly affected by brake failure, led to the deaths of six men and one woman, while two additional victims – a male and a female – are currently receiving medical attention. In all, nine people were involved in the incident.
Describing the development as painful and unacceptable, Abiodun condemned the reckless driving habits of some truck operators plying the corridor, stressing that the loss of innocent lives through preventable negligence was one too many.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor extended his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and comfort for them in their time of grief.
Akinmade said the governor had ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, insisting that anyone found culpable must face the full weight of the law.
Abiodun also called for heightened vigilance and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations by the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, particularly along high-traffic routes such as the Sango-Ota axis.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, noting that road safety remains a top priority.
In a related development, the Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Lawal Adewale Wasiu, visited the scene shortly after the incident with key local officials, where he received briefings from security operatives coordinating rescue and control efforts.
Wasiu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and stressed the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations. He also warned against roadside trading and other hazardous activities that expose residents and commuters to avoidable dangers, assuring that the council would work closely with relevant agencies to strengthen safety compliance along the corridor.
The Ogun State government reaffirmed its resolve to intensify road safety enforcement measures and prevent a recurrence of such a tragic incident.
