- Safiu Kehinde
An officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been crushed to death alongside two others by a truck driving on excessive speed in a suspected case of brake failure.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday,
According to Bakare-Oki, the truck, after knocking down the LASTMA official killed a pedestrian at Badagry roundabout with another individual crushed before coming to a stop approximately 200 meters from the initial point of impact.
He said that the driver fled the accident scene but, was later apprehended by other LASTMA personnel who handed him over to the Police.
“The road accident happened on Monday, February 23, at the Badagry Roundabout inward Seme and it involved a fully loaded SHACMAN truck, owned by the Dangote Group.
“This incident highlighted the daily risks faced by those who work to keep our roads safe,” he said.
Bakare-Oki said that emergency response teams, including LASTMA officers, the Badagry Police Division, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Defence Corps (NSCDC) and concerned citizens, were immediately mobilised to the scene.
The LASTMA boss said the victims were rushed to the General Hospital Badagry, where they were sadly pronounced dead.
Bakare-Oki expressed sorrow and offered his heartfelt condolences to families of the deceased.
“The LASTMA officer who lost his life was a dedicated public servant who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the people of Lagos; We honour his courage, professionalism and unwavering commitment to his duty,” he said
The LASTMA boss consequently, emphasised the urgent need for all transport companies to prioritise the safety of their vehicles and the public.
“We implore all haulage operators and logistics companies to implement rigorous and regular maintenance checks, especially on braking systems to prevent such avoidable accidents.
“The accident vehicle was impounded and handed over to Badagry Police Division for a thorough forensic investigation,” he said
LASTMA assured the public that it will work closely with all relevant agencies to ensure that justice is served.
The Authority also assured of its resolve to strengthen safety regulations on all Lagos corridors.