A deaf pedestrian tragically lost his life in a fatal road accident while waiting for a commercial bus at a designated stop along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, inward Maryland, near Temac Filling Station, Ikeja, Lagos.
The horrific incident, which occurred on Sunday, involved two Suzuki mini commercial buses (popularly known as Korope) with registration numbers EPE 279 YJ and BDG 558 YG, according to a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
Preliminary investigations revealed that one of the mini-buses, allegedly due to reckless speeding, lost control and violently crashed into a stationary bus before fatally striking the pedestrian. The deaf man, who had been waiting patiently for his ride, had no chance to react to the oncoming vehicle.
LASTMA officials promptly arrived at the scene, swiftly managing the ensuing chaos while officers from the Area F Police Division secured the accident site and took the vehicles into custody for further investigation. In response to an emergency alert from LASTMA, personnel from the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) arrived and evacuated the deceased’s remains to the General Hospital, Ikeja.
Reacting to the unfortunate loss of life, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed deep condolences to the victim’s family and condemned the pervasive recklessness exhibited by commercial transport operators.
“This tragic event is a stark reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and non-compliance with traffic laws. It is imperative that drivers take their responsibilities seriously,” Giwa stated.
He emphasized the critical need for regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the effectiveness of braking systems, to mitigate avoidable accidents. Highlighting ongoing efforts to curb speeding, Giwa reiterated the role of Intelligent Transport System (ITS) speed limit monitoring sites at Alapere, Ogudu Road, and Nitel, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, in enforcing speed regulations and improving traffic safety.
“Ensuring road safety is a shared responsibility,” Giwa continued. “Indiscriminate speeding and blatant disregard for traffic laws pose a significant threat to public safety. I urge all motorists to adhere strictly to speed limits and operate within legal parameters to prevent unnecessary and heartbreaking losses of human life.”
The tragic death of the pedestrian serves as yet another painful reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. As authorities continue their investigation, Lagosians are left grappling with the harsh realities of reckless driving and the devastating impact on innocent lives.
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