By Ajibola Adedoye
A tragic accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, August 23, when a Toyota Camry saloon car veered off the 3rd Mainland Bridge and plunged into the Lagos Lagoon, inward Iyana Oworo. The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has confirmed the recovery of two victims in a coordinated search and rescue operation involving multiple agencies.
According to a statement released by LASWA, the agency received a distress alert around 5:45 AM and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue (SAR) team to the scene. Upon arrival, LASWA personnel commenced search operations alongside local divers, eventually retrieving the body of a female occupant later identified as Aisha, aged between 25 and 35.
“Her body was recovered and handed over to her family with the utmost respect,” said Engr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager of LASWA.
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Initial reports had suggested the vehicle carried a lone occupant. However, follow-up investigations confirmed the presence of a second passenger: Mr. Chado Daniel Danladi, 31, who was later identified as a colleague of the first victim and a resident of Ikeja. His body was recovered around 12:30 PM after extended search operations.
The successful recovery was made possible through the joint efforts of LASWA, the Marine Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). Local fishermen also played a pivotal role in supporting underwater search efforts.
“This operation demonstrates the importance of synergy between government agencies and the local community,” said Emmanuel. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of all parties involved and extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
The submerged vehicle was later retrieved with specialized equipment under LASWA and LASEMA supervision. Forensic analysis is currently underway to determine the possible cause of the crash.
In the wake of the incident, LASWA announced it will conduct a safety review of water-adjacent bridge infrastructure and enhance its surveillance and emergency response systems.
“This is a tragic reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies,” the LASWA chief stated. “Our commitment to the safety of Lagos waterways remains unwavering.”
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