Every job has its own hazards, for road sweepers, it is a risky adventure perching on death to keep Lagos clean. Recently, a driver rammed into two staff of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), leading to their death. ALAO ABIODUN who was at the scene of the accident writes about the tragic incident.

The time difference between life and death is only a split second. One minute man is bubbly with life; in the next, he is interred six feet below.

When two siblings – Adejoke Jimot Adefuye and Afolashade Odufuwa Florence – woke up early Monday, November 13, to carry out their daily routine as sanitation workers of Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), they never envisaged losing their precious lives to a ‘reckless’ hit-and-run driver.

Death is an inevitable end but the one that took away the lives of the two workers, is not the type one should wish for even one’s enemy.

The duo had just recently lost their mother, and were still mourning. It was a bizarre experience! The upkeep and survival of their families occupied a prime position on their mind but on that fateful day, they met with an untimely and painful death.

There must have been tears in heaven and torrents of it on earth! For the traumatized family, they wept uncontrollably on the day the duo were committed to mother earth. They were both indigenes of Isamuro Quarters in Ago Iwoye.

The road to their final interment, began on Thursday, November 16 with a christian wake-keep service held in Bariga area of Lagos state culminating in a final burial service, before they were finally laid to rest in Ogun.

During the burial, hordes of sympathisers including relations, friends, colleagues, government officials, party stalwarts from the All Progressives Congress in Bariga and Ago-Iwoye community, assembled at Isamuro Quarters to pay their last respect to the deceased.

That morning of the tragic incident, darkness descended in that vicinity and the ever-boisterous Charly boy axis was gripped with an unusually chaotic traffic, with people commuting and plying their trade amid the confusion. A driver, Jerry Ironkwe had crushed the two workers, leaving in its wake death, injuries and agony.

Adorning the orange jumpsuits, the duo, waking up very early, each morning, in the past six years of their work as sanitation workers with LAWMA have constantly put their lives at risk to keep the state clean.

But on this tragic day, their mangled bodies were recovered from the gutter on the highway. It was a gory sight. They must have squirmed in pain. With their battered heads, they lay in their own pool of blood motionless.

When The Nation visited the community where the deceased workers lived, it was a sad atmosphere. People gathered with sad faces, speaking in hush tones. Residents of Bariga community were puzzled over their death. The news greeted them with shock and sadness.

Speaking with The Nation about the deceased persons, pounds of reminisces rattled their hurting hearts. Many thoughts welled up in their spirit.

Sympathisers including lawmaker representing Somolu Constituency 2 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Olufemi Apata thronged the family residence at Onasanya Street, off Burahimo Allli Street, Ladi-Lak, Bariga to commiserate with the deceased family.

Hon. Apata described the death of the two late LAWMA staff as a pathetic tragedy and a big blow to the community, noting that the deceased persons were staunch members of APC.

At the solemn Christian wake-keep, sympathisers bade them farewell. It was held at Ladi-Lak Primary School Compound, Bariga, Lagos.

The Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin who was in attendance, eulogised the late sanitation workers for their unalloyed commitment to the Authority’s vision of a cleaner and livable environment in the state, for which they paid the ultimate price.

He said: “Words cannot adequately convey the grief we feel for the untimely passing of these dedicated sanitation workers. Adejoke and Afolashade were valued members of our close-knit community, and their exit leaves a big void.

“As we reflect on their service to the state, we are reminded of their diligence, unwavering commitment to keeping the highways clean. Their tireless efforts contributed significantly to maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment for us all. Our thoughts are with you, and we want you to know that the entire LAWMA family stands with you during this challenging time.”

The LAWMA boss presented cheques to the family, noting that the agency footed the cost of the burial.

Ironkwe, who has since turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command, killed the sweepers who were discharging their duties around Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway of Lagos State.

The driver, according to the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, was arraigned for manslaughter.

Ironkwe drove the vehicle with number plate EPE 984 DV.

For Section 325 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, the punishment of manslaughter is that any person, who commits the offence of manslaughter, is liable to imprisonment for life.

However, Ironkwe had been granted bail by the Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba axis of Lagos.

The 45-year-old mechanic was arraigned before Magistrate L.Y. Balogun on three counts bordering on reckless driving. Ironkwe pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the Police.

The police prosecutor, Chekwubeh Okeh, explained that the offences contravened and are punishable under Sections 18(1) and 20 of the Road Traffic Law, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2012.

Following Ironkwe’s plea, Balogun admitted him to bail in the sum of N1 million with two responsible sureties in the like sum.

She, however, directed the police to duplicate the case file as well as send it to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and adjourned the case till December 13, 2023.

Eyewitnesses said the driver was evading arrest when he ran into the LAWMA workers.

Protesters who spoke with The Nation at the scene of the incident, accused officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) of chasing the driver who crushed the LAWMA workers to death.

But LASTMA and Lagos Task Force denied involvement in the unfortunate incident, adding that investigation had commenced on the matter.

Furious residents at the scene vented their frustration. As usual, groundswells of regrets took over the atmosphere. The anger over the tragic accident got further fuelled by the fact that the driver escaped into thin air, perhaps for the fear of being lynched.

Hundreds of motorists and commuters were trapped for hours in the gridlock along Oshodi-Gbagada expressway, until normalcy was restored. The gridlock had worsened when bystanders blocked both routes of the expressway, causing standstill in vehicular movement.

The influx of vehicles plying the lanes to navigate their destinations inward the expressway created a backlog of traffic that trapped many motorists including travellers heading to Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

A Bariga resident and staunch member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ruth Lijirin who was at the scene of the tragic incident dousing the tension caused by the protesters, told The Nation that the two siblings were well-known to her, and she had helped them facilitate the job.

The dead siblings were known members of APC from Ward B, Bariga.

Ruth said: “One of the siblings (Adefuye) celebrated 60 years on Sunday (November 12), and the other sister is about 65.

“Their mother is late, and still in the mortuary. I was at the scene of the unfortunate incident alongside the chairman of the community and the DPO of Bariga Police Station.

“It was a tragic situation. I tried to speak and plead with the LAWMA workers. I also appealed to those who were aggrieved not to block the road because they were angry over the incident.”

Also, the National President, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman, Bariga Local Council, Hon. Kolade David Alabi was at the scene of the incident to appeal to the aggrieved workers and also to douse tension.

A member of the family, Mrs. Biola who spoke with The Nation, explained that deceased workers who are siblings had been working at the Lagos agency for six years as sanitation workers.

She said: “The name of the younger sister is Adejoke Jimot Adefuye; the older sister is Afolashade Odufuwa Florence.

“The older sister is 65years while the younger sister is 60years.

“We were just called hurriedly that while they were working a vehicle crushed them but we don’t know what car it is, that is the only thing we know when the incident happened.

“They have both been working with LAWMA for 6 years. The Bariga Local government Chairman, Hon. Alabi followed us to the mortuary and was with us for a very long time.

“The deceased both have four children each.” She added.

APC LGA Chairman (Bariga), Hon. Mejolagbe Akin who spoke to The Nation explained that the funeral activities for the deceased workers were funded by the government.

He said: “We thank Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Bariga Council Chairman, Hon Alabi for making everything possible for the funeral ceremony.

“On Saturday, November 18, the final burial ceremony took place. All arrangements for the burial were fully paid for.

“After the burial ceremony, there are some special arrangements. I can assure you that the dependants of the deceased will be forever grateful to the state government.

“One of the deceased was an exco in the APC (Mama Adefuye) at Ward B, Bariga LCDA; she was also among the LGA singers.

“The LAWMA authority, especially the Commissioner for Environment Tokunbo Wahab, worked with the Commissioner for Transport, Osiyemi. The two Commissioners took charge of the mortuary, the autopsy and everything. The family didn’t contribute a dime in the burial activities; everything was funded by the state government.”

LAWMA reacts

A statement by agency obtained by The Nation said: “The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) regrets to announce the tragic death of two of our esteemed sanitation workers, who were hit by a reckless driver, in the cause of discharging their lawful duties and rendering invaluable services to humanity around Gbagada axis.

“We wish to appeal to motorists for the umpteenth time, to drive with utmost caution on the highways, to avoid sad incidents like this happening to our sanitation workers or anyone in the course of their legitimate duties.

“The public is urged to remain calm as appropriate steps are being taken and necessary measures put in place.”

Meanwhile, in another development, the agency has mapped out plans to reassess and re-strategise its sanitation (sweeping) activities on some highways across the city, to enable a thorough review of the operational modalities.

Some of the affected routes, which were 160 in number, included: Gbagada Expressway, Iyana Oworo to Charley Boy, Charley Boy to Anthony Oke, Anthony Oke to Oshodi Oke, Oshodi Oke to Anthony Oke, Charity to Iyana Isolo, Iyana Isolo to Balex, Odo Olowo to Cele-Under Bridge, Iyana Itire to Cowbell Bus Stop, Cowbell Bus Stop to Five Star, Five Star to Charity, Charity to Oshodi Oke, Arena to Shogunle Bus Stop (both sides), Costain Apongbon Link Bridge to Alaka (both sides), Alaka to Costain (afternoon), Ilueri to Eko Bridge, Alakija to Dantata Amuwo Odofin (both sides), Abule Ado To Dantata Amuwo Odofin Lbe (both sides), Trade Fair To Abule Ado, First Gate to Mile 2 Amuwo Odofin (both sides), Abule Osun to Onireke, Ojo (both sides), among others.

LAWMA boss said, “We prioritise the safety and welfare of our sanitation workers (sweepers), and this comprehensive plan allows us to conduct a thorough review of identified routes. Our commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy environment remains steadfast, and this measure is a proactive step to enhance the efficiency of our services.”

“During this period, workers in all affected routes and their CEOs will receive notifications to keep them informed of the developments and any changes that may arise from the reassessment. LAWMA appreciates the understanding of service providers and assures them that every effort will be made to minimise any inconvenience during this period,” he noted.

LASTMA, Task Force deny involvement

The Lagos State Task Force refuted reports that officials of the agency were involved in the car chase which led to an accident and tragic death of the two LAWMA officials.

CSP Shola Jejeloye, the chairman of the agency, said no Lagos State Environmental Task Force official was involved in the car chase. Jejeloye said none of the taskforce officials was posted out on Monday morning for any traffic enforcement.

He disclosed that they were deployed to Ile-Zik, Dopemu, and Ikeja to maintain law and order during the NURTW protest.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) also denied involvement.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, explained that a thorough investigation had been initiated to unravel the cause.

Giwa noted that officers from Pedro Police Station had recovered the vehicle into their custody to aid further and thorough investigation.

He noted that the driver with registration EPE 984 DV is a traffic offender already captured by the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR).

Lawmakers express anger

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly frowned at the alleged recklessness of some motorists operating in the state just as they raised concerns over the activities of some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

At a plenary presided over by the speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the House invited the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, to appear and give explanations concerning the incessant recklessness of drivers and the roles played by LASTMA officials.

Also invited, among others, is the former General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba.

The decision of the House followed a ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ raised by a member, Hon. Temitope Adewale.

Obasa, while noting that incidents involving recklessness of drivers and careless attitudes of LASTMA officials were on the increase, said, in addition to the invitation of the affected top officials, there was a need to revisit the laws guiding transportation in the state.

While the pursuit of a cleaner Lagos is commendable and necessary, experts who spoke to The Nation averred that it should never be at the expense of the precious lives of street cleaners.

A safety expert, Mr. Adebayo Samson said: “Beyond condolences, prompt and proactive actions from the state government could do the magic of safeguarding street cleaners and also save many precious lives especially those risking their lives to keep Lagos clean, safe and healthy.” (The Nation)

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