Dare Babalola
A dispatch rider has lost his life in a fatal road accident involving a diesel tanker along the Cele Bridge axis of the Apapa–Oshodi Expressway in Lagos, with the truck driver fleeing the scene after the incident.
The tragedy, which prompted an immediate response from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), occurred when a fully loaded HOWO diesel tanker rammed into the motorcycle being ridden by the victim.
According to a Wednesday statement issued by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the impact of the collision left the dispatch rider trapped beneath the tanker, leading to his instant death.
LASTMA officials stationed in the area were said to have acted swiftly, cordoning off the crash site using traffic cones and caution tape to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of other road users along the busy expressway.
“The prompt action was necessary to forestall secondary collisions and maintain order along the corridor,” the statement noted.
The tanker involved in the crash was subsequently impounded by LASTMA operatives. However, the driver reportedly absconded shortly after the accident, allegedly upon realising the severity of the situation.
Operatives from the Nigeria Police Force, attached to the Ijesha Division, later arrived at the scene to take over investigations. The police also took custody of the deceased, the impounded tanker, and the damaged motorcycle for further examination and possible prosecution.
Authorities confirmed that the body of the deceased rider was carefully recovered from beneath the tanker and transported to a morgue in Yaba.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sympathy with the victim’s family, describing the accident as tragic and avoidable.
He called on the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash and ensure that justice is served.
The incident adds to growing concerns over road safety on major highways in Lagos, particularly involving heavy-duty vehicles and commercial motorcyclists operating under high-risk conditions.
