Six Killed, Several Injured as Truck Ploughs Into RCCG Church in Lagos
At least six worshippers were killed and several others injured on Monday night when a truck loaded with sharp sand rammed into a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the Epe area of Lagos State, turning what should have been a quiet end to an evening service into a scene of tragedy and mourning.
The fatal incident occurred at about 8:30 pm along Hospital Road in Epe, shortly after the church had concluded its evening programme. Although many congregants had already left the premises, a number of worshippers were still inside the auditorium, either praying quietly or preparing to depart, when the heavy duty vehicle veered off the road and crashed into the building.
Eyewitnesses said the truck, which was descending a stretch of the road leading to a nearby roundabout, suddenly lost control and slammed into the church structure with devastating force. The impact destroyed part of the building and trapped several worshippers under rubble and debris.
Residents of the area described the moments leading up to the crash as chaotic and terrifying. According to accounts, the driver appeared to be struggling to control the vehicle after its braking system failed, despite frantic attempts to slow down or stop.
An eyewitness, Tinu Oduwale, told journalists that the driver began shouting and repeatedly honking the horn as he realised the brakes were no longer responding.
“The truck was coming down towards the roundabout when the driver suddenly realised the brakes had failed. He kept shouting and honking to warn people,” Oduwale said.
She explained that the driver appeared to be trying to avoid a more catastrophic collision at the busy junction, where vehicles and pedestrians are often present at that time of night.
“He was trying not to run into other vehicles or people at the roundabout. Unfortunately, the truck veered off and crashed straight into the church building,” she added.
Another resident, identified simply as Sanjo, said the victims were caught completely unawares, as the service had already ended and there was no indication of any impending danger.
“They had just finished their service. Some people were still inside, praying or getting ready to leave, when the truck rammed into the building,” he said. “If it had happened earlier, when the church was still full, the number of casualties would have been much higher.”
The crash immediately drew the attention of residents and passersby, who rushed to the scene in an attempt to rescue those trapped inside the damaged structure. Shouts for help could be heard as debris was cleared by hand before emergency responders arrived.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, alongside other emergency and security agencies, were later mobilised to the scene to carry out coordinated rescue operations. Victims who sustained injuries were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
Emergency responders confirmed multiple casualties at the scene, while efforts were made to stabilise the damaged building and prevent further collapse. The operation continued for hours as officials worked to recover bodies and ensure that no one else was trapped under the rubble.
It was also gathered that the driver of the truck fled the scene shortly after the incident, raising further concerns about accountability and enforcement of road safety regulations. Residents said the driver disappeared amid the confusion that followed the crash.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said six worshippers lost their lives in the tragic accident. She added that investigations had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash and to track down the driver.
“The truck involved in the accident is unregistered, and the driver is currently at large,” Adebisi said. “The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue, while those injured are receiving treatment in hospitals. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the driver and establish full details of the incident.”
The police spokesperson also urged motorists, particularly operators of heavy duty vehicles, to ensure their vehicles are in good condition before taking them on the road, stressing that brake failure remains a leading cause of fatal accidents in the state.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent problem of poorly maintained trucks and unregulated heavy duty vehicles operating on Lagos roads. Residents of Epe and other parts of the state have long complained about the dangers posed by trucks conveying sand, gravel and other construction materials, many of which are said to be old, overloaded or mechanically defective.
Monday night’s tragedy has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of vehicle safety standards, especially for trucks operating within residential areas. Community leaders in Epe lamented that similar accidents have occurred in the past and warned that without decisive action, more lives could be lost.
“This is not the first time we are witnessing something like this,” one community elder said. “These trucks pass through our roads daily, many of them without proper checks. How many people must die before something is done?”
Members of the RCCG congregation and the wider Christian community have been thrown into deep mourning by the loss of the six worshippers. By Tuesday morning, the church premises had become a sombre gathering point, as relatives, fellow worshippers and sympathisers arrived to console one another and pray for the victims.
Church officials declined to speak extensively to the media, saying they were still trying to come to terms with the scale of the tragedy. However, they expressed gratitude to emergency responders and members of the public who assisted in the rescue efforts.
Across Lagos, news of the accident sparked widespread reactions, with many residents expressing shock and anger over the continued presence of unregistered and poorly maintained trucks on major roads. Social media platforms were flooded with calls for the state government to intensify monitoring and enforcement against roadworthy violations.
As investigations continue, authorities say efforts are underway to locate the fleeing driver and determine the ownership of the truck. The outcome of the probe is expected to guide possible prosecutions and inform further safety measures.
For now, the community of Epe remains in mourning, grappling with the sudden and painful loss of lives in a place meant for worship and reflection. The incident stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of road safety lapses and the urgent need for stronger regulation to protect lives across Lagos State.
