Preliminary investigations indicated that a blue Ford commercial bus carrying bottled and canned beverages (BDG 495 YH) was reversing on the expressway when it struck the LAWMA sweeper, causing fatal injuries.
A female operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has died after being struck by a commercial bus along Meiran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis of Lagos, while performing routine environmental sanitation duties.
Preliminary investigations indicated that a blue Ford commercial bus carrying bottled and canned beverages (BDG 495 YH) was reversing on the expressway when it struck the LAWMA sweeper, causing fatal injuries.
According to LASTMA in a statement signed by its Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department Adebayo Taofiq
Director, officers on routine traffic surveillance quickly responded after receiving a distress alert and arrived at the scene.
The driver attempted to flee but was immediately apprehended by the officers.
The apprehended driver and vehicle were handed over to the Meiran Police Division for investigation.
Officials said the intervention of security personnel prevented potential mob action against the driver.
The remains of the deceased were evacuated from the scene by LAWMA officials for further procedures.
Commenting on the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the occurrence was “distressing and preventable.”
He also expressed condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased and prayed that Almighty God grants them “the fortitude and divine strength required to endure the irreplaceable loss.”
On road safety, Bakare-Oki condemned reversing on an expressway as a serious offence, stating it constitutes “a serious traffic offence and a blatant contravention of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.”
He also warned motorists that reckless driving practices “continually result in needless fatalities and public sorrow.”
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to traffic order and safety enforcement and commended the officers involved for ensuring the suspect’s apprehension and preventing his escape from justice.