A Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, operative, identified as Mr Baba Ibeji, has been seriously injured after he was struck by a speeding containerised truck along the Offin Canal axis inward Eko Bridge, Lagos.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Oja Junction while the victim was carrying out routine refuse evacuation duties.
According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), preliminary investigations revealed that the articulated truck, which was heavily loaded, was travelling at excessive speed when it reportedly suffered a brake failure while descending the CMS Bridge toward Offin Canal.
The mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck reportedly knocked down the LAWMA operative and proceeded to ram into a Toyota Camry with registration number FST 417 FS, crushing the vehicle and worsening the impact of the crash.
LASTMA officials, who were on duty within the area, quickly mobilised to the scene and carried out a rescue operation. The officers successfully extricated the injured LAWMA worker from beneath the truck, preventing what authorities said could have resulted in a fatal outcome.
The victim was initially rushed to a private hospital in the area but was turned away due to the severity of his injuries. He was later transferred to a government hospital, where he is currently receiving urgent medical attention.
Meanwhile, the driver of the truck fled the scene immediately after the accident. However, LASTMA officers apprehended the truck’s assistant, commonly referred to as the motor boy, who was handed over to officers of the Nigeria Police at the Ebute-Ero Division for further investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, condemned the reckless driving that led to the crash. He described the incident as avoidable and directed security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation to determine responsibility and ensure appropriate legal action.
Mr Giwa also commended LASTMA personnel and other emergency responders for their swift response, noting that their actions helped prevent loss of life. He expressed sympathy to the injured LAWMA operative and his family and wished him a speedy recovery.
The Lagos State Government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on reckless driving, particularly by operators of heavy-duty and articulated vehicles, warning that violators will face the full weight of the law.
LASTMA urged motorists, especially truck drivers, to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, observe speed limits, and exercise caution at all times, stressing that negligence on the road often results in irreversible consequences.
