A commercial tricycle operator has died following a fatal head-on collision with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) that was reportedly driving against traffic in the Origan, Oko-Afo area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident occurred over the weekend along the Badagry Expressway.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the SUV — bearing the customised number plate “OSUNFNKE” — was attempting to evade heavy traffic by driving against the flow from Ile-Epo to Oko-Afo when it collided with an oncoming tricycle with registration number MUS 716 QM.
The impact of the crash caused severe injuries to the tricyclist, including a critical knee dislocation. He was confirmed dead at the scene.
In a statement, Taofiq condemned the actions of the SUV driver, who fled the scene immediately, abandoning both his vehicle and the deceased victim.
“In a shocking act of cowardice and moral negligence, the SUV driver fled the scene immediately, leaving behind his vehicle and the lifeless body of his victim,” Taofiq said.
LASTMA officials were said to have arrived promptly, securing the accident site and handing over the case to officers of the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force.
Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also assisted by transporting the deceased’s remains to the mortuary at the General Hospital in Badagry.
Both vehicles involved in the crash were towed off the road to ease traffic congestion and have since been handed over to the police for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the crash as a tragic outcome of reckless and unlawful road behaviour.
“This lamentable loss of life is an unfortunate testament to the deadly ramifications of impunity on our roads,” Bakare-Oki said.
He condemned the driver’s actions as a gross violation of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 and an affront to public safety.