Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday expressed sadness over the auto accident that claimed the lives of no fewer than 14 persons at Age Mowo axis, along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Lagos on Sunday.
Sanwo-Olu in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, sympathised with the victims’ immediate families.
The deaths followed a collision between a commercial bus (Mazda) coming from Lagos with registration number MUS 411 XU carrying 19 passengers, and a truck with registration number AKM 926YQ, coming from Badagry.
Apart from the 14 deaths, about nine persons sustained injuries.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of an auto accident that occurred on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, which claimed the lives of some people, including a four-month-old baby. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.
“This is a very sober time for us as a government, and while we acknowledge God as the giver of life, the one who determines every man’s destiny, it saddens us when we experience incidents like this.
“The death of a loved one is usually very painful. On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I sympathise with the immediate families, friends and associates of the victims of the auto accident. We pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Senator representing Lagos West District, Dr. Idiat Adebule also commiserated with the victims and their families.
Senator Adebule said: “I was broken when I learnt about the terrible accident that happened at Age Muwo area of Badagry Local Government of Lagos State that was reported to have claimed the lives of about 14 people who were commuters on a bus going to Benin Republic from Lagos. What a great loss of human lives.
“To the families of the deceased, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved ones. I pray that almighty God will comfort you all and grant the departed eternal rest.”
The former Lagos State Deputy Governor also condoled with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the tragedy.
But, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the management of General Hospital Badagry, on Sunday night, released the bodies of 15 dead passengers to their relatives.
Dr. Olatunde Bakare, the Medical Director of the hospital, told NAN that eight other injured passengers had also been discharged and handed over to their relatives.
He said relatives of the discharged passengers had insisted on taking them to Benin Republic for further treatment.
According to the medical director, 13 passengers were brought to the hospital dead while 10 of them were gravely injured.
“We started treating them immediately but unfortunately two of them gave up the ghost during the treatment making the dead to increase to 15 altogether.
“Their relatives from Benin Republic came to identify them and later brought a Police report, saying they wanted to continue their treatment at home in Cotonou.
“They also brought Police reports asking us to release their dead bodies to them so that they can go and bury them at home.
“So, eight treated passengers and 15 dead bodies involved in a fatal accident on Sunday morning have been released to their relatives and they have taken them to Benin Republic,” he said.
Bakare said that the injured passengers enjoyed free medical treatment, courtesy of the Lagos State Government and General Hospital, Badagry.
-Thenation
