A Togolese national has been arrested for allegedly knocking down a pedestrian at the Adeniji-Adele intersection in Lagos on Monday.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the suspect, who was driving a Mazda vehicle with registration number EPE 749 GS, was said to have been driving recklessly when he lost control and hit the pedestrian attempting to cross the expressway.
Rather than assisting the victim, eyewitnesses alleged that the driver tried to flee the scene. However, LASTMA officials present at the location gave chase and successfully apprehended him before handing him over to police operatives at the Adeniji Adele Police Division for investigation and prosecution.
“The impact of the collision left the victim seriously injured and lying in a pool of blood. It was a brazen attempt to evade responsibility, but our officers quickly intercepted the driver and ensured he was taken into custody,” Taofiq said in a statement.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Ambulance Service were deployed to the scene and administered first aid before rushing the injured pedestrian to a hospital for further treatment.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, urged motorists to drive with caution, emphasizing that excessive speeding remains a leading cause of avoidable accidents across the state.
“On behalf of the Authority, I extend heartfelt sympathies to the victim and wish him a speedy recovery. LASTMA remains committed to safeguarding lives and ensuring orderliness on Lagos roads,” Bakare-Oki said.
The incident comes less than a week after a tragic crash at Ijora Seven-Up, where a 40-foot container truck fell on a commercial tricycle, instantly killing a police officer and a female passenger.
