Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has reported that a containerised truck was involved in an incident at Oja junction, along the Offin Canal towards Eko Bridge corridor, resulting in the fatal injury of a Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) worker.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, the incident occurred on Friday morning while LAWMA operative, Baba Ibeji, was collecting waste.
He said preliminary findings showed that the truck, which was reportedly speeding, suffered brake failure while descending the CMS Bridge linking Offin Canal to Eko Bridge, causing the driver to lose control.
According to Taofiq, the truck hit the LAWMA worker before ramming into a Toyota Camry with registration number FST 417 FS.
He stated that LASTMA officers, who were monitoring traffic in the area, rescued the injured worker from under the truck and rushed him to a hospital, where he was refused treatment due to the severity of his injuries.
Taofiq noted that the victim was later transferred to the General Hospital for further treatment.
The LATSMA spokesperson said the truck driver fled the scene, but the truck assistant was arrested and handed over to the Ebute-Ero police division for investigation.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, condemned the reckless driving that caused the crash and directed a thorough investigation to establish liability and possible prosecution.
Giwa commended LASTMA officers and other emergency responders for their prompt intervention, saying their actions prevented a fatality.
He expressed sympathy with the family of the injured LAWMA worker and reiterated the Lagos state government’s zero-tolerance stance on reckless driving, particularly by operators of articulated vehicles.
LASTMA urged motorists, especially truck drivers, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and adhere to speed limits to prevent accidents.
