CITIZENS COMPASS — A motorist has reportedly lost his life in Lagos State when his Toyota Highlander Jeep with number plate, APP 150 EY), rammed into a painted T4 commercial bus with number plate, KJA 328 XH.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Monday, at Volkswagen, inward Mile 2, Lagos.
Preliminary findings revealed that the tragedy was occasioned when the Highlander Jeep, travelling at an excessive and perilous speed, lost control and collided with great force into a stubborn commercial bus that was illegally stationed along the roadside while indiscriminately picking up passengers at the said location. The driver of the Highlander Jeep perished instantly at the scene of impact.
Responding with remarkable swiftness to the accident the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASTMA), through its spokesperson, Adebayo Taofik, said the agency, personnel promptly secured the accident scene, extricated the lifeless body from the mangled wreckage, and formally handed over the remains to operatives of the Ojo Police Division.
“The Police thereafter conveyed the deceased to the C-Niger Mortuary, Abule Ado (inward Mile 2), for preservation.
“In a meticulously coordinated intervention, LASTMA officers ensured the restoration of traffic fluidity along the severely gridlocked corridor, while simultaneously supervising the evacuation of all accidented vehicles, which were subsequently towed to the Ojo Police Division for further investigation.
“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, praying that the Almighty grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Decrying the persistent scourge of reckless driving and indiscriminate roadside passenger pickups, Mr. Bakare-Oki admonished commercial bus operators to confine all passenger activities strictly to designated bus stops provided by the “Government in order to safeguard lives and maintain order.
“He further issued a stern caution to motorists against over speeding, emphasising the necessity of ensuring that vehicles, particularly braking systems are in sound and optimal working condition prior to embarking on any journey within or beyond Lagos State.
“The sanctity of human life must never be compromised by recklessness on our highways. The Lagos State Government, through LASTMA, shall continue to intensify enforcement and sustain public enlightenment campaigns to forestall preventable tragedies of this nature,” the General Manager declared.
