Lagos: Tears as Entrepreneur Dies After Car Falls Into Lagoon, Video Goes Viral
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.
Lagos Island, Lagos state - A young woman, Aisha Maikudi Ibrahim, died on Saturday, August 23, after her car reportedly tumbled and fell into the Lagos lagoon from the popular Third Mainland Bridge.
Premium Times on Monday, August 25, quoted family sources as saying Ms Ibrahim, who lived in Gbagada, was returning from an event in Ikoyi where she worked as a vendor when the crash occurred.
Source: Twitter
The deceased's aunt, Hadiza Oyewumi, narrated:
“By 2 a.m., her phone was unreachable. By 4 a.m., her mother became worried, and by 6 a.m., her elder sister and mother set out to look for her.”
Oyewumi explained that on their way to Lagos Island, the family saw emergency officials and bystanders gathered near the bridge.
Oyewumi said:
“When we stopped, we were told there had been an accident. The car’s bumper was visible, and when they checked the plate number, it matched hers."
The family believes the vehicle may have somersaulted at high speed, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
What they found more painful, however, was the rescue response.
Ms Oyewumi recounted:
“Officials from LASTMA and the marine police kept saying they were making calls, but no one went into the lagoon.
“It was her father who eventually negotiated with local divers. They demanded N400,000 before diving in. Only after the payment did they retrieve her body.”
Her body was recovered between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, nearly half a day after the accident, and buried immediately according to Islamic rites. She was said to be 29 years old.
Furthermore, in a separate statement, Ms Oyewumi described her late niece as “a promising entrepreneur with high aspirations”. Following the unsuccessful bid to rescue her, she lamented what she called the “commercialisation of human lives”.
Oyewumi said:
“The circumstances of the crash remain unclear, but what is more painful is the response that followed.
“LASTMA and marine police were at the scene, but there was no meaningful rescue. It fell to local fishermen, who demanded money before acting. In their grief, the family paid — not to bargain, but to recover her body for a proper burial.”
The bereaved urged the Lagos state government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to properly equip emergency responders and formally integrate trained divers into rescue operations.
She added:
“Can a structure be created so that, in moments like this, money is not placed above humanity? The Centre of Excellence must not commercialise human lives. Preparedness and compassion can make all the difference.”
Lagos authorities react to accident
Meanwhile, when contacted, Taofeek Adebayo, the director of public affairs and enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said he was not aware of the incident. He, however, promised to investigate it.
On the other hand, Margaret Adeseye, the director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the accident and fatality.
The full statement posted on the official X (formerly Twitter) page of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service can be read below. The statement included a viral video showing efforts to retrieve the body of late Aisha:
Type of Emergency:
Rescue
Time of Call/Day:
05:11hrs, Saturday
Scene of Incident:
By RRS Çheck Point on third mainland bridge inward Iyana oworo, Ebute Meta, Lagos.
Description:
It is self accident involving a toyota camry car with registration number LSR 384 BE that plunged into the lagoon with a lone occupier as the driver.
Situation Update:
A 29 years old female body was recovered lifeless from the river and handed over to the police and family.
In Attendance:
Ebute Elefun Crew of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, LASAMBUS, LASWA Marine Department of the Nigeria Police and Locals.
Supposed Cause:
Under Investigation
Casualty:
One
Legit.ng reports that accidents are frequently reported on the Third Mainland Bridge, often caused by speeding, reckless driving, and poor road conditions, leading to injuries and fatalities. Authorities are increasingly concerned about the frequency of these accidents, which damage the bridge and result in the loss of life and property.
Accident linked to Seyi Vibez's concert
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that popular singer Balogun Afolabi Oluwaloseyi, better known as Seyi Vibez, trended on X, following reports that some of his fans were involved in a fatal accident.
According to reports, Seyi Vibez had his music concert on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos state. However, the reports of the sad incident, which occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge, after the event, have stirred reactions on social media.
Source: Legit.ng
