Allegation: LASTMA Reacts Over Death Of Pregnant Woman, Tricyclist

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials have provided an account of the accident that resulted in the tragic loss of a pregnant woman and a commercial tricyclist, commonly known as Keke NAPEP, in a collision that occurred during the early hours of Tuesday along Ago Palace Way in the Okota area of Lagos State.

Recall that pandemonium broke out when a pregnant woman and a tricyclist, were crushed to death, while two school children sustained degree of injuries when some law enforcement agents dragged the steering wheel of a Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, with the driver in Okota axis the state over traffic offence.

While the tricyclist reportedly died on the spot, the pregnant woman died later in the hospital while the injured school children of the deceased were currently receiving treatment after they were rushed to the hospital.

Consequently, members of the public have been pointing accusing fingers at the men of LASTMA as being responsible for the unfortunate incident.

It was gathered that some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and some Policeman from Okota Police Station, while enforcing traffic rules, allegedly dragged the steering wheel with the driver of the Toyota Sienna, along Bayo Oyewole Street, Ago Palace way.

There were, however, contrary reports over which of the law enforcement agents was responsible for the act. Some reported that it was men of the Nigeria Police, while others fingered officials of LASTMA.

The accident, which reportedly, happened at about 9. 15 a.m., angered passers-by, particularly, the youths, who immediately mobilized, setting up burn-fire on the road in an attempt to set the police station ablaze before they (angry youths) were stopped by armed Policemen deployed.

According to an eyewitness, Kamoru Abdullahi, the accident occurred after two policemen in the company of LASTMA officials, allegedly flagged down the driver along the road for violating a traffic law.

However, in an apparent attempt to evade arrest, the driver reportedly decided to speed off but one of the Policemen, who was sitting beside the driver dragged the steering wheel to stop the vehicle.

“While they were both struggling with the steering wheel the driver in the process lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a tricycle which the pregnant woman and the three others onboard,” Abdullahi told Vanguard  correspondent.

According to him, aside from the deceased passengers, the policeman who was involved in the incident also sustained injury during the crash.

Sensing danger and the extent of damage, the other Policemen and LASTMA officials took to their heels and disappeared from the axis immediately to avoid being lynched by the mob.

The policemen have been accused by motorists of extortion and excesses within the axis.