By Deborah Nnamdi
A cement-laden truck on Monday lost control and rammed into bystanders at Badagry Roundabout in Lagos, killing a traffic officer and two commercial motorcyclists.
The accident, which occurred at about 9:45 a.m., claimed the life of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who was on duty, as well as two motorcyclists said to be waiting for passengers at the busy junction.
Eyewitnesses said the truck veered off course while approaching the roundabout, crashing into the victims and causing panic in the area.
An official of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps said the truck struck the LASTMA officer and the two cyclists as it spiralled out of control.
“The truck hit the LASTMA staff on official duty and two cyclists waiting to carry passengers,” he said.
He added that the driver attempted to manoeuvre the vehicle in a bid to minimize casualties. “Otherwise many more motorcyclists and vehicles would have been affected,” he said.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Yusuf Sanni, Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said the driver had been arrested and taken to Badagry Police Station.
Sanni attributed the crash to loss of control and advised motorists to avoid the area to ease traffic congestion.
He disclosed that the bodies of the deceased had been deposited at a hospital mortuary, while the truck was impounded at the police station.
The Divisional Police Officer of Badagry Police Station, CSP Folajimi Agosile, also confirmed that the driver was in custody and would be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.
“He will be arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court after investigations are concluded,” Agosile said.
Officials of the FRSC, LASTMA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Police Force were seen at the scene clearing the wreckage and restoring normal traffic flow following the fatal crash.
(NAN)
