Inside Nigeria
Driver dies as 40ft container crushes car on Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
A tragic accident occurred on Sunday afternoon along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, claiming the life of a commercial driver after a 40-foot container-laden truck toppled onto his vehicle.
The incident, which happened around 2 p.m. at the Soka area, involved a trailer carrying bales of clothing and a Nissan Micra taxi with registration number BDJ 981 ZY. The heavy container crushed the smaller car, trapping the driver beneath the wreckage.
When our correspondent arrived at the scene around 4 p.m., officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police, and the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority were on the ground making efforts to remove the wreckage and retrieve the body of the deceased driver.
Our correspondent, who monitored the incident, observed that the car was pinned under the tail section of the truck, with one of the rescuers using a machete to cut through parts of the vehicle to reach the victim’s remains.
An eyewitness, identified as Yusuf, blamed the accident on concrete barricades left on the road by contractors after completing repairs in the area.
He said, “The accident happened around 2 p.m. when it was still raining. The trailer was coming from Lagos inward Ibadan. When it got to this point, the driver tried to dodge those big concrete barriers placed on the road during construction. In the process, he hit the Micra. I think he tried to regain balance, but that was when the truck fell, trapping the driver.
They finished this road a long time ago; those barriers shouldn’t still be there.”
A FRSC officer at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, corroborated the eyewitness account.
“This is how we met the accident. From what we can see, the trailer swerved to avoid the barrier, hit the Micra, dragged it off the road, and eventually fell on it,” the officer said.
Speaking with Benue post Nigeria on the incident, the General Manager of OYTMA, Adeoye Adekola, confirmed the driver’s death.
“I just left the scene. We have removed the corpse and deposited it at the Adeoyo Hospital, Ring Road. The container, fully loaded with clothes, is still there, but we have detached the truck from the container and moved it to Sanyo Police Station,” Adekola said.
He identified impatience, speeding, and the lack of reflectors on the road barriers as major causes of the crash.
“There are two major factors, impatience and speeding by the drivers, and the construction barriers without reflectors. Before the truck driver noticed the barrier, it was already too late. He tried to swerve, but there was a Micra parked to pick up a passenger. In an attempt to avoid it, the truck overturned, crushing the Micra. The driver was the only occupant, and he died on the spot.
“The traffic situation has now been cleared, and vehicles are moving smoothly,” Adekola added.
The incident caused heavy traffic congestion along the busy route for several hours before normalcy was restored.
The latest crash has again raised concerns about the frequency of accidents at the Soka junction of the Ibadan Expressway.
In June, five people were killed and several others injured when seven vehicles, including two Nissan Micra taxis, two trucks, a tanker, and two Toyota Camry cars, were involved in a multiple collision at the same spot.
Barely a week later, another accident occurred, claiming the life of a driver whose car rammed into a stationary trailer left behind from the earlier crash.
A tragic incident has shaken residents of the High Level area in Makurdi, Benue State, as a teenage boy, identified as Tersoo Veregh, was found dead, hanging from the roof of his father’s house on Lorkyaako Street.
According to reports shared by counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama on X (formerly Twitter), the heartbreaking discovery was made on Saturday, though the news surfaced on Sunday.
According to Makama, the father of the teenage boy had woken up around 2 a.m. to discover that his son was hanging in what was suspected to be a case of suicide.
He noted that police officers from a division in the area visited the scene of the incident and recovered the body to a morgue.
Makama said, “The deceased’s father discovered the tragic scene at about 2:00 a.m. on October 4 when he came out of his room to ease himself and found his son hanging from the roof of the building.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer in ‘B’ Division, Makurdi, led a team of detectives to the scene.
“The corpse was photographed and later evacuated to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital mortuary.”
When contacted for a reaction on Sunday, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident.
She noted that the police have commenced an investigation into the matter.
“We are aware of the incident, and for now, the investigation is ongoing on the matter,” Edet said in a telephone conversation.
This incident adds to a worrying rise in suicide-related cases reported in Benue State and across Nigeria.
In July 2024, Benue post Nigeria reported that a 17-year-old secondary school student in Gboko reportedly committed suicide after facing academic and social pressure.
Similarly, in 2023, a 14-year-old girl in Benue allegedly took her life after being scolded for a suspected pregnancy.
In another case, a 42-year-old native doctor in the state was found hanging after being declared missing for days.
Experts have attributed the growing cases of suicide in Nigeria to economic hardship, family conflicts, and untreated mental health issues.
Psychiatrists interviewed by Benue post Nigeria Healthwise linked the rising trend to poor access to mental healthcare and social support.
A tragic accident at Ijora Causeway, Lagos, on Tuesday has left two people dead, including a serving police officer.
The incident occurred when a fully loaded 40-foot container truck overturned onto a commercial tricycle, crushing its occupants. The crash happened inward Ijora 7Up, beneath the Ijora Bridge.
According to reports, the truck, with registration number XP 368 AKD, fell on the tricycle with registration number KJA 364 QN, leading to the fatalities.
Preliminary reports from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) indicated that the truck lost control during a dangerous maneuver, causing the container to topple onto the tricycle carrying passengers.
Both the police officer and a female commuter died instantly. Security operatives later moved the officer’s remains to a morgue in Yaba, while the deceased female passenger’s body was released to her family at the scene.
Two survivors — including the tricycle operator — were rescued with severe leg fractures and taken by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) to Jimi Ogunyemi Hospital, Gasikiya, Ijora, for urgent medical care.
The incident sparked chaos as enraged bystanders attempted to set the truck ablaze, but policemen from Badia, Trinity, and Kirikiri divisions swiftly intervened to restore order and protect emergency responders.
LASTMA’s general manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the accident as “deeply grievous and most regrettable.” He extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured victims.
He also praised the swift collaboration between emergency and security agencies, noting that their timely intervention prevented further loss of lives and escalation of the crisis.
Bakare-Oki used the opportunity to warn truck drivers and articulated vehicle operators against reckless maneuvers, particularly around bridges and congested roads, urging them to exercise extreme caution to prevent a repeat of such tragic incidents.
For many Nigerians with dreams of japa-ing (emigrating) to the UK, the goal goes beyond relocation — it’s about thriving, not just surviving.
Whether you’re a fresh graduate mapping out your future, a mid-career professional chasing greener pastures, or a prospective student hoping to study and eventually settle abroad, one critical decision stands before you:
Which degree or field of study should you pursue to secure a high-paying, in-demand job in the UK?
With the UK currently battling labour shortages across vital industries like healthcare, technology, and engineering, doors are wide open for skilled professionals. Nigerians, with a rich history of contributing talent to the UK workforce, are uniquely positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.
Here are Top 10 Degree Choices for High-Paying Careers in the UK based on government data, job markets as of 2025::
1. Nursing and Midwifery:
Why It is in Demand: The UK has a chronic shortage of nurses and midwives.
Average Salary: £28,000 – £45,000 (can rise with experience or specialisation)
Top Roles: NHS Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, Community Health Nurse, Midwife.
2. Computer Science and IT:
Why It is in Demand: The UK tech sector is booming.
Average Salary: £35,000 – £80,000+
Top Roles: Software Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Data Scientist, IT Consultant, Cloud Engineer.
3. Engineering (All Branches):
Why It is in Demand: Crucial to the UK’s infrastructure, construction, and energy sectors.
Average Salary: £35,000 – £70,000+
Top Roles: Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Structural Engineer, Rail Engineer
4. Medicine (MBBS or Equivalent):
*Why It is in Demand*: The NHS is experiencing a doctor shortage.
Average Salary: £35,000 (foundation) to £100,000+ (consultant level)
Top Roles: General Practitioner, Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Anaesthetist, Paediatrician.
5. Pharmaceutical Sciences / Pharmacy:
Why It is in Demand: The UK’s healthcare system needs pharmacists.
*Average Salary*: £30,000 – £50,000
Top Roles: Clinical Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist, Regulatory Affairs Officer, Research Scientist.
6. Education (Especially STEM and Special Education):
Why It is in Demand: National shortage of qualified teachers.
Average Salary: £28,000 – £45,000
Top Roles: Secondary School Teacher, Special Needs Teacher, Maths/Science Teacher
7. Law (UK-Qualified Legal Professionals):
*Why It’s in Demand*: Competitive field with well-paid roles
Average Salary: £35,000 – £100,000+
Top Roles: Solicitor, Legal Consultant, Immigration Lawyer, Compliance Officer
8. Accounting and Finance:
*Why It is in Demand*: London is a global financial hub.
Average Salary: £30,000 – £90,000+
Top Roles: Chartered Accountant, Financial Analyst, Auditor, Tax Consultant.
9. Data Science and Analytics:
*Why It is in Demand*: Critical for strategic decisions.
Average Salary: £40,000 – £80,000+
Top Roles: Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer, BI Analyst, Statistician.
10. Architecture and Construction Management:
Why It is in Demand: UK construction industry is booming.
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