By Niran Odufayo
A fatal accident involving a commercial motorcyclist and a flour-laden articulated truck occurred early today Sunday along the Sabo-Onimalu stretch of Ikorodu, Lagos State, resulting in the death of the rider.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the report, the motorcyclist was riding at an excessive speed when he experienced a brake failure, lost control, and rammed into the rear of the moving truck. The impact led to his immediate death, with his body pinned beneath the heavy vehicle.
LASTMA officers who arrived promptly at the scene secured the area, managed traffic, and discovered that the truck driver had fled in an apparent attempt to avoid responsibility. However, he was pursued and arrested by LASTMA officials before being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Shagamu Road Division for further investigation.
The remains of the motorcyclist were recovered and later released to family members who arrived at the scene after being notified by fellow riders.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, extended his condolences to the bereaved family and described the tragedy as preventable. He emphasized the need for commercial motorcyclists to ensure regular maintenance of their motorcycles, especially critical components like brakes.
Mr. Bakare-Oki also urged union leaders of commercial motorcycle operators to intensify safety education among their members, noting the dangers of reckless riding and mechanical negligence. He reiterated the Lagos State Government’s restrictions on the use of motorcycles on certain roads and highways and called for full compliance to avoid further loss of life.
“This unfortunate incident underscores the importance of routine safety checks and strict adherence to traffic rules,” he said. “We must all work together to prevent such needless fatalities.”
The general public is encouraged to report traffic emergencies or misconduct involving LASTMA officials via the Authority’s dedicated hotline: 0810000527862.
LASTMA reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to road safety and urged all road users to exercise caution and responsibility while navigating Lagos roads.