LASTMA rescues a LAWMA operative knocked down by a speeding truck along Offin Canal in Lagos as authorities launch investigation into the accident

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rescued an operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) who was knocked down by a speeding truck along Offin Canal, inward Eko Bridge, Lagos.

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The incident was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa.

According to the statement, the heavily laden containerised truck struck the male LAWMA operative, identified as Mr Baba Ibeji, while he was carrying out lawful refuse evacuation duties.

“Preliminary investigative findings indicate that the articulated vehicle, reportedly speeding, suffered a brake system failure while descending the CMS Bridge connecting Offin Canal to Eko Bridge,” Giwa said.

He explained that the mechanical failure caused the driver to lose control, leading the truck to knock down the LAWMA worker before ramming into and crushing a Toyota Camry with registration number FST 417 FS.

LASTMA officers stationed in the area for traffic surveillance and control swiftly intervened and successfully extricated the severely injured LAWMA operative from beneath the truck’s wreckage.

Giwa said the victim was immediately rushed to Fuja Hospital, where he was refused admission due to the severity of his injuries, before being referred and transferred to the General Hospital for urgent specialist medical care.

In a condemnable development, the truck driver reportedly fled the scene after the crash.

However, LASTMA operatives apprehended the truck assistant (motor boy), who was handed over to security personnel led by the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) of the Ebute-Ero Police Division, Lagos Island, for further investigation.

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Giwa expressed displeasure over the reckless conduct that led to the accident and directed relevant security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation, with a comprehensive report to guide possible prosecution in line with existing laws.