Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - A beer-laden truck crashed into a dispatch rider and two vehicles at Abalti Barracks, inward Ojuelegba, Lagos, on Tuesday, spilling bottles of beer onto the road and prompting commuters to scramble for the drinks before officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority intervened to stop them.
According to LASTMA Public Relations Officer, Adebayo Taofeeq,
He said, “It was at high speed. The driver had to stop, but
it was too late for him. He did not apply his brakes. Once he applied them,
suddenly, he was going to hit the car ahead of him, so he swerved to hit the
car head-on.
“He hit a dispatch rider down on the ground. It was much on
the dispatch bike, and after that, he went ahead and hit another vehicle.”
The vehicles involved were identified as a Lexus Jeep with
registration number LXR 960JS, a Hyundai Jeep with registration number KTU
12JS, and a dispatch motorcycle with registration number AAA 151QT.
Taofeeq said the dispatch rider was seriously injured in the
crash and was rescued by LASTMA personnel before being taken for medical
attention.
He said LASTMA officials also worked with the police to
manage the accident scene and prevent the crash from causing further traffic
disruption.
The accident, however, took an unusual turn after several
bottles of beer being conveyed by the truck fell onto the roadway.
According to Taofeeq, members of the public immediately
began picking up the unbroken bottles and drinking the beer.
He said LASTMA officials intervened when they arrived at the
scene.
He stated, “In the course of the accident, there were some
bottles of beer that fell. Some people started picking one bottle after the
other. But immediately when we arrived at the accident scene, we stopped people
from engaging in it and drinking the beer that was scattered.”
Despite the intervention, the scene attracted members of the
public, with some commuters reportedly stopping on their way to work to drink
the spilled beer.
Some people were also seen carrying plastic bottles to
collect the beer for takeaway, turning the accident scene into what appeared to
be an impromptu “free bar.”
The development sparked mixed reactions among members of the
public. While some sympathised with the beer company over the loss of its
products and condemned people taking advantage of the accident, others made
jokes about the unusual situation.
Taofeeq said LASTMA moved quickly to clear the accident
scene and prevent further disruption.
He said, “We quickly cleared everything in a way to avoid
any further traffic congestion or accident.”
In a statement posted on its official X account, LASTMA
confirmed that the crash involved a Fuso truck loaded with beer, a Lexus Jeep,
a Hyundai Jeep and an Okada.
The agency said the crash occurred at Abalti Barracks,
inward Ojuelegba, adding that the contents of the truck spilled onto the
roadway.
The agency said its personnel were deployed to manage the
situation, while policemen were also present at the scene.
It added that officials of the Lagos State Waste Management
Authority were clearing broken bottles from the roadway.
“Our personnel are on the ground managing the situation; men
of the Nigeria Police are also present, while LAWMA officials are clearing the
broken bottles from the roadway,” LASTMA stated.
The agency urged motorists to exercise caution while passing
through the area.
Taofeeq also used the incident to caution motorists as part
of LASTMA’s Ember Months road-safety campaign, urging them to avoid reckless
driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.
He said the agency commenced its Ember Months campaign on
September 1 because of the increased movement, festivities and road activities
associated with the period.
“I want to appeal to members of the public to avoid reckless
driving. They must not drink and drive,” he said.
Taofeeq further disclosed that LASTMA had introduced a free
emergency hotline, 3367, for members of the public to report reckless driving,
accidents and other incidents requiring the agency’s intervention.
He urged road users to be responsible and cooperate with traffic
officials at all times
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