The Lagos state Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has denied complicity in the death of a pregnant woman on Tuesday when some officials of the agency were trying to arrest an alleged traffic offender around Ago Palace, Way, Okota.
The woman was crushed to death when a tricycle conveying her and her three children was hit by the driver of a Sienna SUV who was trying to escape arrest.
Apart from her, the driver of the tricycle was also killed while her three children also sustained first-degree injuries, and are now being treated in an undisclosed hospital.
The incident has been blamed on LASTMA and policemen who allegedly tried to seize the steering from the driver, leading to the fatal accident.
Following the accident, the community was immediately thrown into chaos as youths in the area attacked LASTMA officials, looted, and vandalized its yard.
The magazine learned that officials of Isolo Local Council Development Authority, LCDA, have pleaded for calm as anger boiled in the area.
Reacting to the incident, Bolaji Oreagba, General Manager of LASTMA, said its men are not to be blamed but the driver, who after driving against the traffic (one way) tried to escape from enforcement officials.
In a statement signed by Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo, the agency boss commiserated with the families of the deceased, he accused the Sienna driver of being reckless, adding that he will soon face prosecution for breaking the law.
Explaining what transpired, Oreagba said the offender was being escorted by a policeman to the LASTMA office where he was expected to be booked for the offense committed when he tried to escape.
“On their way, and in an attempt by driver to escape, he diverted into Bayo Oyewale Street by Ago Round-About and rammed into a fully loaded tricycle,” he said.
He explained further: “While the tricycle operator died instantly, the pregnant woman later died at the Hospital while the two injured School Children were currently, under Intensive Care Unit” receiving medical attention
“The escort policeman in the contravened vehicle equally sustained various degrees of injury as a result of the fatal auto crash.
“The incident sparked off protest as a mob descended on the escort Police Officer but the timely intervention of a team of Policemen from Ago/ Okota/Ilasa Police Stations saved the Policeman from being lynched.
“Subsequently, LASTMA Yard was invaded and valuable items were vandalised including vehicles within the premises.
“It is noteworthy to mention that in an attempt to escape, the driver of the Sienna car lost control as a result of reckless driving which eventually resulted into the fatal accident.
“The management of the agency commiserate with the families of the deceased, and assured that thorough investigation will be carried out to determine the immediate and remote cause of the accident and that justice will be served appropriately,” Kehinde had reported to Oreagba.”
Meanwhile, not a few residents in the state have called on Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, to call the officials of the agency to order. The behaviour of some unscrupulous LASTMA officials has led to the untimely death of some innocent souls, according to them.
