The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has ordered a crackdown on illegal parking of trucks along federal highways following a fatal road accident involving the vehicle of Anthony Joshua on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which claimed the lives of two persons.
Senator Umahi, who expressed deep condolences to Anthony Joshua and the families of the deceased, described the accident as tragic and avoidable, attributing it to the illegal parking of trucks along the highway.
He said the Federal Ministry of Works would enforce strict compliance with its earlier directive prohibiting parking on federal highways, particularly by heavy-duty vehicles.
According to the minister, a special task force comprising officials of the Ministry of Works and security agencies will be inaugurated in February 2026 to ensure effective enforcement of the directive and to put an end to illegal truck parking on highways across the country.
Umahi stressed that the ministry is working closely with highway safety and security agencies to ensure that broken-down vehicles are promptly removed from highways.
He also warned against the dangerous practice of using highways to sun-dry farm produce, noting that such actions pose serious risks to road users.
In a related development, the minister also commiserated with victims of the devastating fire incident at the Balogun Market in Lagos, which claimed several lives and destroyed property worth hundreds of millions of naira.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Umahi urged affected traders and families to bear the losses with courage, while assuring them that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, would take steps to support victims and facilitate restoration efforts.
He extended his condolences to all families who lost loved ones in both incidents, reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving road safety and responding swiftly to emergencies to prevent future tragedies.
