In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has condemned what it described as “egregious recklessness” of a fully loaded trailer driver, who caused a devastating accident at the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos, injuring a LASTMA officer.
The LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement on Wednesday said that the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday while the LASTMA officer was en route to commence his afternoon duty.
Taofiq said the incident underscored the perilous consequences of careless driving on public roads.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed, “The ill-fated trailer, bearing Bauchi State registration number KTG 33 ZZ, originated from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road en route to Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor when the driver, operating at an alarmingly high velocity, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision.
“The sheer impact of the crash inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand.
“Upon emergency medical assessment at the Surgical Emergency Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), attending specialists determined that the extent of the injuries necessitated an immediate amputation of his right leg.
“In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene.
“However, through the concerted efforts of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in collaboration with vigilant LASTMA officials, he was swiftly apprehended.”
Taofiq stated that the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, while reacting to the incident, visited the hospitalised officer at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he vehemently condemned the incident and emphasized that such a calamity could have been averted had the driver exercised due diligence and adhered to fundamental road safety protocols.
Bakare-Oki warned trailer and truck operators, all motorists, to uphold a heightened sense of safety consciousness, stressing the inestimable value of human life.
He said, “LASTMA officers are not adversaries to motorists; rather, they are dedicated to ensuring that traffic flows seamlessly, thereby fostering economic growth and urban efficiency in Lagos State.”
Bakare-Oki reaffirmed LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to enhancing road safety and ensuring orderliness on Lagos highways.
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