In what many described as a miracle, an eight-month-old baby was rescued unhurt after a speeding commercial bus rammed into four pedestrians attempting to cross the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway at Otedola Bridge, inward Tollgate, on Thursday morning.
The crash, which occurred during the busy rush hour, left four adults severely injured but sparked relief and astonishment when rescue officials discovered the infant—strapped to her mother’s back—completely unharmed.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident involved four vehicles:
A Hydra truck (APP 261 FA)
An LT commercial bus (EPE 574 YC)
A Ford vehicle (GG 283 XQ)
An unregistered Mark flat-body truck
Preliminary reports revealed that the LT bus, approaching at high speed, struck the pedestrians as they attempted to dash across the expressway. The impact threw the mother carrying the baby to the ground, triggering a secondary collision involving the other vehicles.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. “It was like a movie,” said one passerby, who declined to be named. “We saw the bus hit them, and everyone screamed. People thought the baby was gone, but when LASTMA officials pulled her out, she was crying but not injured. Everyone shouted ‘God is great!’”
Rescue Efforts
LASTMA personnel quickly moved in, extricating the baby and stabilizing the injured victims before rushing them to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre by Tollgate. Operatives of the Alausa Police Division provided additional support, securing the area and helping maintain order as panicked commuters gathered.
A LASTMA officer at the scene, visibly shaken, told reporters: “When we saw the baby strapped to her mother, our hearts sank. But by God’s grace, she was fine. We immediately carried her away from the wreckage while others attended to the injured.”
Traffic Disruption
The incident caused temporary traffic gridlock along the busy corridor, with motorists slowing down to catch a glimpse of the rescue. LASTMA officers later cleared the wreckage and restored normal traffic flow inward Tollgate.
Official Reaction
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, sympathized with the injured victims and praised the swift response of his officers. He also issued a stern warning to Lagos residents:
“We thank God that the baby survived without a scratch, but this incident is a painful reminder. Crossing expressways is extremely dangerous. The government has provided pedestrian bridges, and we urge everyone to use them. Dashing across high-speed roads is reckless and remains a major cause of avoidable fatalities on Lagos highways.”
For many who witnessed the crash, the baby’s survival was a symbol of hope amid tragedy. “That child is blessed,” said another eyewitness. “Her survival is a message to all of us that life is precious, and we must be careful.”
As the injured victims continue to receive treatment, the incident has reignited conversations about road safety and the urgent need for Lagosians to abandon the risky habit of crossing expressways on foot.