Dare Babalola
A female pedestrian and member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries was fatally struck by a Mercedes-Benz C-300 driver in a hit-and-run incident on Saturday at the NYSC Bus Stop, Igando area of Lagos State.
The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in a statement on Saturday, noting that its officials responded swiftly.
Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said, “The deceased, who was peacefully en route to a worship service at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Church, Igando, met her unfortunate end when she was fatally struck by the driver of a Mercedes-Benz C-300.
“Reports indicate that the victim was lawfully navigating the designated pedestrian corridor when the vehicle, under circumstances yet to be definitively ascertained, veered into her pathway with devastating and irreversible consequences.
“Upon receipt of distress alerts, LASTMA personnel stationed along the Igando axis responded with commendable alacrity and operational proficiency. Demonstrating tactical coordination and adherence to established emergency response protocols, the officers promptly cordoned off the accident scene to forestall secondary collisions and ensure the safety of other road users.
“Vehicular movement within the corridor was meticulously regulated to prevent congestion and additional hazards, while requisite safety procedures were immediately activated.”
The agency added that the driver of the Mercedes-Benz C-300 abandoned the scene upon realising the severity of the collision, thereby breaching statutory and civic responsibilities required of motorists involved in traffic incidents.
This action has exacerbated the gravity of the incident, the statement noted.
The accident vehicle was thereafter secured and evacuated from the carriageway by LASTMA operatives in strategic collaboration with officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Igando Division.
“This coordinated inter-agency intervention facilitated the prompt restoration of normal vehicular flow and public order within the affected vicinity,” Taofiq added.
The statement further revealed a heartbreaking development at the MFM Church, where the deceased’s husband was already present for the worship service when news of the accident broke.
Church members and the victim’s husband reportedly proceeded to the scene, where the remains of the deceased were respectfully conveyed for necessary rites.
Investigations into the cause of the accident have since been taken over by the police, with authorities expected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and take appropriate legal action against the fleeing driver in line with existing traffic and criminal laws.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep sympathy with the bereaved family and the MFM Church community.
He prayed that Almighty God grant them the fortitude and spiritual resilience required to endure the irreparable loss occasioned by this tragic event.
Mr. Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of human life and the strict enforcement of traffic discipline across Lagos roadways.
He emphasised that the outcome of the ongoing police investigation would guide the Government’s subsequent course of action. Furthermore, he admonished motorists to exercise heightened vigilance, adhere strictly to statutory speed regulations and demonstrate unequivocal respect for pedestrian rights at all times.
