LASTMA averts tragedy in Ojota crash, Giwa calls for responsible driving

Stanley Ihedigbo

Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has once again demonstrated its preparedness and life-saving capacity following a grave multi-vehicular crash that occurred earlier today along the Ojota inbound Ketu axis of Ikorodu Road.

According to the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, the accident, which involved three vehicles on the main carriageway, was reported to have occurred when a Toyota Sienna saloon car with registration number KRD 311 JH slowed down to allow a large number of pedestrians safely cross the expressway.

A mini truck positioned immediately behind the Toyota Sienna also decelerated in response.

However, a Volkswagen commercial bus approaching from behind at an excessive and uncontrolled speed failed to slow down, violently ramming into the two stationary vehicles and triggering a severe collision.

Eyewitness accounts and preliminary security intelligence revealed that the impact was so ferocious that the driver of the Volkswagen commercial bus became severely trapped inside the mangled wreckage of his vehicle.

The situation necessitated an urgent and highly coordinated emergency intervention to prevent a potentially fatal outcome.

LASTMA rescue operatives, who arrived at the scene with commendable promptness, swiftly deployed specialised extrication equipment and successfully freed the trapped driver from the crushed vehicle.

Their timely and professional action not only saved the victim’s life but also prevented secondary casualties and further escalation of the incident.

Following the successful rescue, fellow commercial motorists at the scene immediately conveyed the critically injured driver, who reportedly sustained multiple fractures, to an undisclosed medical facility for urgent and intensive medical care.

The rescue operation was conducted under adequate security reinforcement provided by officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Area ‘H’ Ogudu Police Division.

The police ensured effective crowd control, secured the accident scene, and facilitated the smooth execution of the emergency response, allowing for the restoration of vehicular movement along the heavily trafficked expressway.

Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed his deep wishes for the speedy and complete recovery of the injured driver.

He also commended the professionalism, bravery and rapid response of LASTMA operatives, noting that their intervention once again underscored the agency’s indispensable role in preserving lives and maintaining road safety across Lagos State.

Hon. Giwa seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to motorists, urging them to exercise prudence and heightened safety consciousness at all times.

He stressed the non-negotiable importance of adhering to regulated speed limits, maintaining patience on the road and remaining particularly vigilant in zones characterised by heavy pedestrian movement.

According to him, strict compliance with traffic regulations and the cultivation of responsible driving habits remain critical pillars in the collective effort to curb road traffic accidents and safeguard human lives.

LASTMA, while reiterating its unwavering commitment to continuous traffic surveillance, rapid incident response and proactive traffic management, also called on all road users to cooperate fully with traffic officials and comply strictly with extant traffic laws in the overarching interest of public safety and orderly mobility.

The Authority reaffirmed that it will continue to strengthen its emergency response mechanisms and enforcement strategies to ensure safer roads for all Lagos residents.