An accident has claimed the life of a tricycle rider at Origan, Oko-Afo, along the Badagry Expressway corridor of Lagos State.

Confirming the incident on Sunday, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, said the accident involved a commercial tricycle marked MUS 716 QM and a Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC Sports Utility Vehicle with a customised license plate, ?OSUNFNKE?.

Taofiq explained that preliminary intelligence gathered from the scene indicated that the SUV operator was driving in contravention of established traffic protocols ? willfully navigating against the legally designated flow of traffic, popularly known as ?One-way ? from Ile-Epo towards Oko-Afo.

He said the gross infraction culminated in a devastating head-on collision with the oncoming tricycle.

?The impact was fatal. The tricycle operator sustained multiple traumatic injuries, including a critical knee dislocation, and was confirmed dead at the scene.

?In a shocking act of cowardice and moral negligence, the SUV driver fled the scene immediately, abandoning both his vehicle and the lifeless body of his victim.?

He further disclosed that LASTMA operatives arrived at the location to secure the scene and escalate the matter to the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force, which deployed officers to take control of the area.

Taofiq also noted that personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), also present conveyed the remains of the deceased to the mortuary at the General Hospital in Badagry for formal processing.

According to him, to restore normalcy and ease traffic gridlock, the extensively damaged tricycle and the SUV were towed from the roadway by LASTMA officials and duly transferred to the custody of the Nigeria Police for further forensic investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

?Accident Avoidable?

He said that the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the tragic episode, describing the driver?s actions as a blatant affront to public safety and an egregious violation of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

?This lamentable loss of life is an unfortunate testament to the deadly ramifications of impunity on our roads. It is profoundly disheartening that, despite persistent enlightenment campaigns, extensive road safety sensitisation, and continuous enforcement initiatives, some individuals still choose to operate with reckless abandon and utter disregard for lawful conduct,? Bakare-Oki was quoted as saying in the statement.

?This tragedy could have been averted if the erring driver had complied with directional signage and traffic regulations. We earnestly implore all motorists to conduct themselves responsibly, as every life lost on our roads is one too many,? he added.

The GM extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased tricycle operator, praying that the Almighty grant them solace and the fortitude to endure the irreplaceable loss.

He further admonishes all motorists to revere the sanctity of life and desist from any traffic behaviour ? particularly one-way driving ? that endangers fellow road users and undermines public order. (CHANNELS)

Update news