30/09/2026
LASTMA Stops Commuters From Drinking B**r Spilled After Lagos Crash
For a moment, an accident scene in Lagos looked less like a traffic emergency and more like an unexpected roadside giveaway.
A truck carrying b**r had crashed at Abalti Barracks, inward Ojuelegba, leaving bottles scattered across the road. Before traffic officials could fully secure the area, some commuters began picking up the unbroken bottles and drinking the b**r.
Others reportedly brought plastic containers to collect some of the spilled contents.
The unusual development happened on Tuesday after the b**r-laden truck collided with a dispatch rider and two vehicles.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA officials had to intervene to stop members of the public from consuming the products.
LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofeeq, explained that the crash began when the truck driver encountered a vehicle ahead of him while travelling at high speed.
The driver reportedly attempted to avoid a direct collision but could not stop in time.
Instead, he swerved and struck a dispatch rider before continuing into two other vehicles.
The vehicles involved were a Lexus Jeep with registration number LXR 960JS, a Hyundai Jeep with registration number KTU 12JS, and a dispatch motorcycle registered AAA 151QT.
The dispatch rider sustained serious injuries in the collision.
LASTMA personnel rescued him from the scene and arranged for him to receive medical attention.
Traffic officials, working alongside the police, also moved to control the area and prevent the accident from creating a larger traffic problem.
Then came the second problem.
The truck had been carrying b**r, and the force of the crash caused bottles to fall onto the roadway.
As the bottles spread across the scene, people nearby began moving toward them.
Some picked up intact bottles and started drinking.
The situation reportedly drew even more attention, with commuters on their way to work stopping to see what was happening. Some members of the public were also said to have collected the spilled b**r in plastic bottles to take away.
LASTMA officers eventually intervened and ordered people to stop taking or consuming the drinks.
The agency then focused on clearing the accident scene and removing the hazards from the road.
In a statement published on its official X account, LASTMA confirmed that the crash involved a Fuso truck loaded with b**r, the Lexus and Hyundai vehicles, as well as an Okada.
The agency said the contents of the truck had spilled onto the road following the collision.
Police officers were deployed to the scene, while personnel from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, worked to remove broken bottles from the roadway.
The combined response was aimed at preventing another accident and keeping traffic moving through the busy route.
LASTMA later said the affected area was cleared as quickly as possible to reduce the possibility of further congestion or another collision.
The incident also generated different reactions from people who saw images and reports from the scene.
Some expressed concern over the loss of the company's products and criticised those who took advantage of the accident.
Others treated the unusual sight as a source of humour.
For LASTMA, however, the incident was also a reminder of a more serious issue: road safety.
Taofeeq used the crash to reinforce the agency's warning to motorists during the Ember Months period, urging drivers to avoid reckless behaviour and, particularly, never drive after consuming alcohol.
LASTMA began its Ember Months road-safety campaign on September 1, with the agency citing the increased movement, celebrations and road activity associated with the period.
The agency is also encouraging members of the public to report dangerous driving and road emergencies promptly.
According to Taofeeq, LASTMA has introduced the emergency hotline 3367, which members of the public can call to report reckless driving, crashes and other incidents requiring traffic officials.
The Abalti Barracks crash therefore ended up involving far more than damaged vehicles.
A dispatch rider was seriously injured, traffic officials had to secure the scene, broken bottles had to be cleared from the roadway, and commuters had to be stopped from turning spilled cargo into an unexpected roadside drinking spot.
LASTMA has urged motorists and other road users to remain cautious, drive responsibly and cooperate with traffic officials, particularly during the Ember Months period.
(Source: Punch Newspapers)
