In a devastating incident in Ago, Okota area of Lagos’s Isolo Local Government Area, a vehicle pursued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) crashed into a tricycle, resulting in the deaths of a pregnant woman, her two children, and the tricycle driver. However, local police confirmed only the deaths of the pregnant woman and the tricycle operator.
Witnesses claim a LASTMA official, along with a police officer, tried to apprehend the driver of a Toyota Sienna MPV for traffic rule violations near Okota roundabout. During the attempted arrest, there was a physical altercation between the driver and the official. The Sienna lost control and hit a tricycle on Bayo Oyewale Street. The force of the collision led to the tricycle driver’s immediate death, along with the pregnant woman. The children she was ferrying to school were left unconscious.
The aftermath saw enraged bystanders attempt to attack the LASTMA official. Police from Ago Division intervened, using tear gas to scatter the crowd.
One witness, identified as Friday, claimed, “Several LASTMA officials and a police officer wrestled with the driver. In mere minutes, I noticed they had entered Bayo Oyewale Street. The Sienna hit the tricycle, causing multiple fatalities.”
Another witness shared the deceased tricycle driver’s personal backstory, noting his recent discussions about his newborn and upcoming wedding plans. This witness also mentioned rumors about the Sienna driver’s condition, which remained unconfirmed.
Yet another bystander, Michael, pointed to the poor road conditions as the root cause for drivers taking alternate routes, leading to confrontations with LASTMA officials.
In response to the tragedy, Benjamin Hudenyin, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, reiterated that only the pregnant woman and tricyclist died. Meanwhile, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, cleared their official of blame. He elaborated that the Sienna’s driver was apprehended for traffic violations, without detailing the chase’s events.
SOURCE: VanguardÂ
