A tragic accident occurred on Wednesday morning at the bustling Isheri Market near the OPIC bus stop along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving one person dead, several others injured, and significant property damage.
According to eyewitness accounts, a container truck reportedly suffered brake failure while approaching the OPIC area. In a desperate attempt to avoid crashing into the estate gate, the driver swerved toward the market, plowing through stalls and scattering traders and customers.
An eyewitness, a commercial motorcyclist, confirmed that there was no traffic at the time of the incident. “The driver lost control. No one was chasing him,” he recounted. “He tried to veer into the estate but couldn’t brake, so he crashed into the market.”
The only confirmed fatality was a local tea vendor who was attending to his early-morning customers. A security guard at the market, who narrowly escaped death, described the harrowing moment:
“I was drinking tea when we heard a loud sound. The truck hit me, and I fell. It’s only by God’s grace I survived. Unfortunately, the tea vendor didn’t make it.”
Although the exact number of injuries is yet to be confirmed, multiple victims were seen receiving treatment on site. Bystanders said the presence of two parked vehicles—a van and a Sienna—likely prevented further deaths, as they helped slow the truck’s momentum before it hit the main market area.
Emergency responders and security personnel were quick to arrive at the scene, working to clear the debris and assist the injured.
The truck driver has been taken into custody by the Isheri Tactical Unit as investigations are ongoing to determine the full cause of the accident and assess the damage.
