Dare Babalola
A policeman and a scavenger have been crushed to death by a speeding driver at Ilubirin, inward Simpson in the Lagos Island area.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, made this known in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos.
“Preliminary security investigations revealed that the driver of a Toyota Camry vehicle (MUS 885 JA), while speeding, lost control and veered out of his lane, forcefully striking both a scavenger and a police officer who was riding a motorcycle.
“The impact resulted in their immediate and irreversible loss of life,” he said.
He added that LASTMA officials stationed in the area “swiftly intervened, cordoning off the accident zone to ensure safety and prevent further complications.”
The agency added, “In the course of their response, officers apprehended the driver who attempted to flee the scene and promptly handed him over to security officials from the Adeniji Adele Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.”
The wrecked vehicle was carefully removed by LASTMA operatives to prevent further accidents and restore normal traffic flow, minimising disruptions in the area.
Following the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, visited the scene.
While commiserating with the families, colleagues and communities affected by the tragic incident, the LASTMA boss lamented the needless loss of lives and described the event as a painful reminder of the consequences of reckless driving.
Bakare-Oki further admonished motorists generally to adhere strictly to government-approved speed limits and to maintain the highest standards of road discipline.
He reiterated that speed violations remain one of the leading causes of avoidable road fatalities.
The General Manager reaffirmed LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to continuous public enlightenment on road safety protocols, urging all road users—particularly drivers—to adopt safer driving habits in order to prevent future tragedies.
