LASTMA officer hit by traffic offender in Ketu dies

An officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Samson Akinmade on Wednesday died from the injury he sustained after he was knocked down by a vehicle at Mile 12, Lagos.

“The driver of a blue-black Opel Space Bus with registration number AAA 74 GG knocked down Akinmade at Demurin Street junction inwards Mile 12 while controlling traffic, leaving him with head and body injuries,” LASTMA general manager Olajide Oduyoye said in a statement.

“The officer was immediately rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where he eventually died around 1.00a.m this morning as a result of the severe injury sustained.”

Oduyoye said the incident occurred while Akinmade was directing yellow buses away from Demurin Street Junction choke point and ordering motorist to park away from the road to pick passengers.

“The driver assumed that he would be apprehended for obstructing traffic and sped off, knocking down the officer against the concrete culvert on the service lane and dragging him for about seven metres,” Oduyoye said.

He said the driver tried to escape through a street which turned out to be closed but was eventually arrested and handed over to the Police at Alapere along with his vehicle

Oduyoye, however, expressed the sympathy of colleagues at the Ministry of Transportation and LASTMA to the entire family of the deceased, assuring that the State Government will ensure that the apprehended driver is prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He also warned all motorists to desist from violating the State Traffic Law in order to prevent unnecessary accidents and deaths on Lagos roads, urging commuters to exercise patience at all times.