The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the death of an official of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) following a road incident.
The incident occurred along Meiran road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis, in Lagos on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Saturday via its official X account, LASTMA said the female LAWMA sweeper was fatally hit by a blue Ford commercial bus with registration number BDG 495 YH.
The statement, signed by Adebayo Taofiq, director of public affairs and enlightenment department, said the deceased was “conscientiously engaged in her lawful environmental sanitation duties” when the bus, which was “recklessly and unlawfully reversing on the expressway,” struck her.
“The vehicle forcefully rammed into the unsuspecting LAWMA sweeper who was carrying out routine roadside cleaning. The severe impact, particularly to the head region, proved instantly fatal,” the agency said.
LASTMA said its officers on active traffic surveillance duties swiftly mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress report.
“The driver had absconded from the crash site in a desperate attempt to evade accountability. Officers immediately pursued the fleeing vehicle, successfully apprehended the driver and escorted him and his vehicle back to the scene of the incident,” the statement added.
According to the agency, the apprehended driver and the vehicle were later handed over to security personnel from the Meiran Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.
LASTMA noted that the prompt intervention of its officers also prevented a breakdown of public order, as the suspect was close to being lynched by angry residents.
“The timely response of our officers averted a potential breach of public peace, as the suspect was on the verge of being subjected to mob action by enraged members of the public,” the statement said.
The remains of the deceased were subsequently evacuated by LAWMA officials using an official vehicle for onward necessary procedures.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA general manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the death as “both distressing and preventable.”
He expressed condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased LAWMA operative.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues and loved ones of the fallen LAWMA operative. We fervently pray that Almighty God grants them the fortitude and divine strength required to endure this irreplaceable loss,” Bakare-Oki said.
He condemned the act of reversing on an expressway, describing it as a serious traffic offence and a violation of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
Bakare-Oki warned motorists against reckless and unlawful driving, noting that such actions continue to result in avoidable deaths, and commended LASTMA officers involved in the incident for their vigilance and swift response in ensuring the suspect’s arrest.
The LASTMA boss also recalled a recent similar incident in which a truck collided with four vehicles, leaving two persons dead and three others critically injured, adding that the driver of the Silo Mixer Truck reportedly fled the scene after the crash.