A Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) worker narrowly escaped death on Friday morning after a containerised truck lost control and knocked him down along the Offin Canal, heading toward Eko Bridge.
The victim, identified as Baba Ibeji, was carrying out refuse evacuation duties when the truck, reportedly speeding and suffering brake failure while descending the CMS Bridge, slammed into him before crashing into a Toyota Camry (FST 417 FS), according to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
LASTMA officers on routine traffic patrol rescued Ibeji from beneath the truck and rushed him to a hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to the General Hospital for further treatment.
The truck driver reportedly fled the scene, while the truck assistant was apprehended and handed over to the Ebute-Ero police division for investigation.
Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, condemned the reckless driving, ordered a full investigation to determine liability, and commended LASTMA officers and emergency responders for their prompt actions that likely prevented a fatality.
Giwa also expressed sympathy to Ibeji’s family and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy on reckless driving, especially for operators of articulated vehicles. LASTMA urged motorists to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and to adhere strictly to speed limits to prevent similar incidents
