By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
A yet to be identified dispatch rider has lost his life in a fatal road crash involving a heavy duty Volvo truck at Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat along the Ogudu Toll Gate corridor, Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the crash occurred within the corridor already known for heavy traffic flow and recurring accidents.
According to LASTMA, the collision, which happened on the busy highway, led to the immediate death of the dispatch rider at the scene with operatives of LASTMA, who were on routine patrol, swiftly responded to the crash, cordoning off the affected area to prevent further accidents and manage traffic flow.
According to reports the remains of the deceased were later handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who arrived to support evacuation and traffic control operations with other personnel of the Nigeria Police Force from the Alausa Division deployed to maintain order during the rescue and clearance exercise.
The accident caused severe traffic congestion along the corridor, with vehicles stand still and queues stretching towards the Berger axis. However, LASTMA officials, working alongside other emergency responders, were able to remove the articulated truck and the dispatch motorcycle with the aid of a tow vehicle, restoring traffic movement after several hours of disruption.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences towards the family of the deceased and described the incident as unfortunate calling for greater caution among road users, especially dispatch riders and drivers of articulated vehicles, stressing the need for strict adherence to traffic regulations.
“LASTMA remains resolute in its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders in intensifying advocacy initiatives aimed at reducing road fatalities and fostering a sustainable culture of road safety across Lagos State,” he said.
The agency reiterated its commitment to improving traffic management and reducing avoidable road crashes across the state.