Angry youths on Tuesday razed facilities at the Isolo Local Council Development Area office building in Okota, Lagos.
This followed the death of two yet-to-be-identified persons who were said to have died after a scuffle involving officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, a policeman and a driver in the Ago Palace area of Isolo, Lagos.
It was gathered that the incident happened around 9am when the yet-to-be-identified driver allegedly tried to escape after a traffic infraction.
Eyewitnesses said LASTMA officials, aided by a policeman, chased the motorist.
An eyewitness, who gave his name simply as Usman, said, “The LASTMA officials chased the driver. One of the law enforcement officers was dragging the steering wheel with the driver and in the course of that, the driver lost control and rammed into some passengers. About four people died.”
Reacting, LASTMA’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement said the driver of the blue Toyota Sienna bus (AKD 944 HN) was apprehended for driving against traffic.
He said, “On their way, and in an attempt by the driver to escape, he diverted into Bayo Oyewale Street by Ago Roundabout and rammed into a fully loaded tricycle.
“While the tricycle operator died instantly, a pregnant woman later died at the hospital while two injured school children are currently in the Intensive Care Unit receiving medical attention.
“It is noteworthy to mention that in an attempt to escape, the driver of the Sienna car lost control as a result of reckless driving which eventually resulted in the fatal accident.”
The Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Babatunde Farinloye, also confirmed to our correspondent that four victims were involved in the accident but officers of the FRSC fled the scene and the facility of the LCDA following the mob action.
Pictures and videos from the council office showed damaged vehicles on the office premises while office rooms and windows among others were also vandalised.
An official who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “They were going to burn the offices. They attacked the office because LASTMA, FRSC, and VIO officials all make use of the building. I have lost many documents and valuables.”
Reacting, the council’s Chief Press Secretary, Rasheed Iskilu, said the incident involved a private car “that was purportedly being trailed by law enforcement agents which led to the crushing to death of the occupants of a tricycle on Bayo Oyewole Street, Okota.”
He said the incident left the council “badly worried,” adding, “We wish to assure the public that investigations have commenced to determine the immediate and remote causes of the regrettable occurrence.”
On his part, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed to PUNCH Metro that two persons died and two others were hospitalised after sustaining injuries.
The PPRO said, “I can confirm that two people died while two other people are in the hospital. It was a LASTMA operation and customarily, policemen are attached to LASTMA officials for their safety, so a policeman was with them. If it was a police operation, you would see our van there. We have deployed patrol teams to the area and normalcy has been restored.”
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
