A female operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has been killed in a road accident along Meiran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis of Lagos, while carrying out routine environmental sanitation duties.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a blue Ford commercial bus loaded with bottled and canned beverages, with registration number BDG 495 YH, was reversing on the expressway when it struck the LAWMA sweeper, resulting in fatal injuries.
In a statement issued by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, traffic officers on routine surveillance promptly responded to a distress alert and arrived at the scene.
The statement said the driver of the vehicle attempted to flee but was immediately apprehended by LASTMA officers. The suspect, along with the vehicle involved in the incident, was subsequently handed over to the Meiran Police Division for further investigation.
Officials noted that the swift intervention of security personnel helped prevent a potential mob action against the driver.
The remains of the deceased were evacuated from the scene by LAWMA officials for necessary procedures.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the accident as “distressing and entirely preventable.” He extended condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of the deceased, praying for strength to bear the loss.
Bakare-Oki strongly condemned the act of reversing on an expressway, describing it as a serious traffic violation and a clear breach of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
He warned that reckless driving practices continue to result in avoidable deaths and public grief, urging motorists to adhere strictly to traffic regulations.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic laws and ensuring road safety across the state, while commending its officers for their prompt response and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.