Fawaz Adebisi
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a pregnant woman, and a tricycle operator met a tragic end during a high-speed pursuit involving a vehicle and officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The incident unfolded yesterday in the Ago Okota area of Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos State, sending shockwaves throughout the community.
According to eyewitnesses at the scene, the ill-fated chain of events began when a vigilant LASTMA official stationed at Okota roundabout signaled for a Toyota Sienna MPV to pull over, suspecting a violation of traffic regulations.
The situation quickly escalated as the official, accompanied by a police officer, entered the vehicle in an attempt to take control of the steering wheel.
A fierce struggle ensued between the driver and the LASTMA official, with the vehicle still in motion.
Tragically, this struggle caused the driver to lose control, resulting in a collision with a tricycle on Bayo Oyewale Street.
The impact claimed the lives of the tricycle operator, whose skull was tragically fractured in the accident, and the pregnant woman, who was also in the tricycle with her two children.
The children, although gravely injured, survived the collision but were rendered unconscious.
The chaotic aftermath of the incident led to an outpouring of anger from bystanders, who targeted their frustration at the LASTMA official involved in the pursuit.
Swift intervention by a team of police officers from Ago Division was required to prevent a lynching, as they dispersed the irate crowd with tear gas canisters.
One eyewitness, who identified himself as Friday, vividly recounted the events, stating, “The Sienna vehicle collided with the tricycle that was operating on the street, killing a pregnant woman and her two children.
“The skull of the keke Marwa driver was on the ground. Angry bystanders began assaulting the policeman and LASTMA official who tried to flee.”
Another witness, whose shop was situated near the accident scene, shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragic incident. “I was told that the Sienna driver was going the wrong way because the road was in a bad condition.
“In that area, when you reach a certain point, people tend to use one-way routes to bypass the bad road, particularly around Cele,” he explained.
“The tricyclist was my customer… They were even discussing preparations for the child’s dedication, which was scheduled for a few days later, before their wedding.”
The incident raised concerns about the actions of LASTMA officials, with some witnesses pointing to the problematic state of the road as a factor that led to motorists resorting to one-way routes.
Michael, another eyewitness, voiced his frustration, stating, “Whenever a driver takes that one-way route, they would stop him and demand money. That’s what happened today (yesterday).
They stopped the Sienna but the driver refused to stop. The police officer with them today (yesterday) worked alongside LASTMA officials.”
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hudenyin, confirmed that only the pregnant woman and the tricycle operator lost their lives in the incident.
Meanwhile, LASTMA released a statement, with its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, asserting that their official was not at fault and detailing the circumstances of the chase.
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