Driver flees after killing Lagos revenue collector

A yet-to-be-identified transport union revenue collector was crushed to death while attempting to collect dues from the truck driver in the New Garage area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday.

The Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday.

According to Taofiq, the victim was attempting to cross the expressway in a bid to collect dues from the truck driver when he was hit by the truck.

The impact of the collision was said to have led to the death of the revenue collector.

Taofiq narrated, “In a devastating incident earlier today, a lone containerised truck (FST 887 XD) was involved in a fatal accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, near New Garage inbound Lagos.

“The tragic event resulted in the immediate death of a revenue collector who was attempting to collect dues from the truck driver. The victim was fatally struck while crossing the expressway, succumbing instantly to the severe impact.

“Personnel from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority swiftly responded to the scene, taking decisive action to manage the aftermath of the incident. The remains of the deceased were respectfully handed over to security officers from the Adigboluje Police Division, who are coordinating with the family to facilitate the necessary formalities.”

He added that the driver of the truck fled the scene of the accident upon realising the devastating situation.

“The truck driver, overwhelmed by the severity of the accident, fled the scene in a bid to evade accountability.

“LASTMA Officers promptly removed the obstructing containerised vehicle, which had caused significant traffic congestion, and handed it over to the police for a further comprehensive investigation.”

Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, stressed the need for revenue collectors to adopt safer methods of collecting dues to avoid similar incidents in the future.

Bakare-Oki, who spoke through Taofiq, expressed regrets over the incident while commiserating with the family of the deceased.

“This harrowing incident starkly highlights the critical need for enhanced safety measures in revenue collection processes, particularly on busy thoroughfares,” stated Mr Bakare-Oki.

“We convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased during this grievous time,” Bakare-Oki said.

PUNCH Metro reported last Tuesday that four persons lost their lives in four crashes that occurred in different parts of Lagos and Ogun states last Monday.

The accidents, according to different statements from the Commandant of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Seni Ogunyemi, and Taofiq, also left seven persons with varying degrees of injuries.

The traffic bosses noted that the accidents had occurred in the Epe, Ijaiye and Ketu areas of Lagos State while another occurred in the Agbara-Lusada area of Ogun State.