Ogun State Safety Alert: Government Warns Against Roadside Trading Following Fatal Ota Crash

 

​The Ogun State Government has issued a stern warning to residents and market vendors regarding the dangers of indiscriminate roadside trading after a tragic accident at the Old Toll Gate in Ota. On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a devastating crash involving a vegetable oil tanker claimed the lives of six people and left several others with critical injuries. This incident has reignited the urgent conversation around public safety, street hawking, and the enforcement of traffic regulations along the busy Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway. In this report, we delve into the details of the Ota tragedy, the government's response, and why clearing our highways is now a matter of life and death.

​The Ota Tragedy: What Happened at the Old Toll Gate?

​The fatal accident occurred around 8:00 AM on Tuesday at the ever-busy Ota Toll Gate area. According to reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), an articulated Mack tanker (registration number EKY 913 YH) carrying vegetable oil suffered a mechanical brake failure while navigating the corridor towards Lagos.

​The driver lost control of the heavy-duty vehicle, which subsequently rammed into two other vehicles—a Suzuki mini-bus and a TVS tricycle—as well as several pedestrians and traders positioned along the roadside.

• ​Casualties: 6 individuals (5 males, 1 female) were confirmed dead at the scene.
• ​Injuries: At least 2 survivors sustained varying degrees of critical injuries.
• ​Impact: The crash caused significant destruction of property and a massive gridlock on the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

​Ogun Government's Reaction: No More Roadside Trading

​Following an on-the-spot assessment of the scene, the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, speaking on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, expressed deep sorrow over the preventable loss of lives. She emphasized that while mechanical failures are unfortunate, the presence of traders and pedestrians on the "right-of-way" significantly increases the casualty count during such disasters.

​Key Directives from the State Government:

1. ​Strict Enforcement: The government has ordered security agencies to immediately clear all roadside traders from the Sango–Ota corridor and other high-risk zones across the state.
2. ​Utilization of Market Stalls: The Deputy Governor noted that the state has provided designated market areas and stalls. Trading along busy highways is now strictly prohibited.
3. ​Investigation and Accountability: Governor Dapo Abiodun has ordered an immediate probe into the circumstances of the accident, vowing that any negligence found on the part of the truck operator will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

​The Hidden Dangers of Street Trading in Nigeria

​Roadside trading, though a source of livelihood for many, creates a "death trap" for both vendors and buyers. Experts identify three primary reasons why this practice must be stopped:

• ​Buffer Zone Encroachment: Highways are designed with "setbacks" to allow for emergency maneuvering. When traders occupy these spaces, they leave no room for vehicles experiencing mechanical failure to veer off safely.
• ​Driver Distraction: The chaotic nature of roadside markets distracts drivers, increasing the likelihood of collisions in high-traffic areas.
• ​Pedestrian Vulnerability: Buyers often stand with their backs to traffic while negotiating prices, making them unaware of approaching danger until it is too late.

​A Call for Behavioral Change

​The Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, also joined the call for order, stating that many of these lives could have been saved if residents had heeded previous warnings. The monarch urged his subjects to value their lives above daily profits and to relocate their businesses to sanctioned marketplaces.

​The FRSC Ogun Sector Command has reinforced this by increasing patrols along the Sango–Ota axis to ensure that commuters and traders comply with the new safety directives.

​Conclusion

​The fatal Ota accident is a grim reminder that public safety is a collective responsibility. While the government works to improve road infrastructure and enforce truck maintenance standards, residents must do their part by staying off the highways. The Ogun State Government’s warning against roadside trading is not an attack on livelihoods but a necessary measure to ensure that no more families have to mourn their loved ones due to preventable road tragedies.