Two female officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were on Monday knocked down by a vehicle around the Charlie Boy area inward Gbagada, Lagos State.
An eyewitness simply identified as Sodiq who gave an account of the incident on the telephone said the two yet-to-be-identified women died on the spot.
He said, “It was a ghastly accident, two LAWMA women were just knocked down by a Sienna vehicle while they were carrying out their duty.
“We don’t know what was wrong with the driver, he just drove straight here and hit the two women. It is such a pity.
“The driver has been arrested and handed over to the police.”
Our correspondent further learned that the development drew the ire of eyewitnesses who blocked the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, leading to a traffic jam on the route.
Motorists are commuters are said to be trapped in the traffic for hours.
Law enforcement agents are said to be having a hectic time controlling the situation.
We are not responsible for accident – Taskforce
The Lagos State Taskforce has debunked the news making rounds that the Agency is involved in the car chase that led to an accident and tragic death of two LAWMA officials at Gbagada axis this morning.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye disclosed today at the Agency Headquarters that there is no iota of truth in that report. Speaking at the scene of the incident where members of the public had gathered to vent their anger and displeasure towards the unfortunate incident which involved yet-to-be-identified traffic enforcement officials (not Lagos State Environmental Taskforce officials) in a car chase of a suspected traffic offender along Gbagada axis, resulting in the knocking down of two LAWMA officials carrying out their duties by the Roadside.
“It is a very sad and most importantly avoidable incident today that has led to loss of lives. For us as an Agency, we have a very firm belief that traffic offence is not a criminal offence, therefore a traffic offender should escape from the scene of the offense rather than create madness on the road that could lead to loss of life,”
Jejeloye disclosed that none of the Taskforce officials were posted out today for any traffic enforcement, rather, they were deployed to Ile-Zik, Dopemu, and Ikeja to maintain law and order during the NURTW protest. So there is no way they could have been involved as widely speculated. The vehicle and occupants involved in the chase were clearly not in Taskforce uniform.
“The officials involved in this devastating incident will be fished out, arrested, and will be made to answer for their crimes. The suspected motorist who evaded arrest and knocked down these two innocent workers will also be trailed and prosecuted. In this era of social media, there is no hiding place for any criminal.”
Jejeloye admonished Lagosians to maintain calmness and serenity and allow the law to take its full course. He assured that justice will be adequately served and no stone will be left unturned till all parties involved in the heinous crime are prosecuted.
“I strongly hope this serves as a deterrent to any overzealous officer who sidelines the safety and security of Lagosians whom we have sworn to protect. Anyone caught jeopardising the safety and security of Lagosians all in the name of apprehending a traffic offender will be severely dealt with.”
