By Chiagoziem Abosi
The news shocked fans and residents alike this week: Ruth Otabor, younger sister of former BBNaija winner Phyna, died after being hit by a Dangote truck.
Her tragic passing has reignited debate over road safety in Lagos and the unchecked dominance of heavy-duty trucks across Nigerian highways.
For many in Ikeja, the pain feels familiar. Only last year, Computer Village traders were left stranded after the demolition of the POWA complex. That incident raised questions about the government’s ability to protect livelihoods. Today, residents are asking a grimmer question: if the state cannot safeguard property, can it guarantee safety on our roads?
At Ikeja Along bus stop, commercial driver Kunle Adesina voiced his frustration to IkejaBird:
“These Dangote trucks, ehn, dem dey drive like say na only dem get road. Every day, na by God’s grace we reach house.”
On Allen Avenue, university student Olamide Afolabi echoed a wider fear:
“If someone as popular as Phyna’s family can be affected like this, what chance do ordinary people like us have? Lagos roads are dangerous.”
The Dangote Group has since issued a statement, noting that it pledged to cover Ruth’s medical expenses before her death. The company now says it remains committed to offering “full support” to the grieving Otabor family.
But for many Lagosians, gestures of condolence are not enough. The deeper concern remains: when will safety, accountability, and strict regulation finally catch up with the trucks that dominate Nigeria’s roads?
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