Policeman, two others killed in Lagos auto crashes

Three persons — a policeman, a firefighter, and a scavenger — lost their lives in two separate road crashes that occurred on Wednesday in the Trade Fair area of Abule-Ado and Ilubirin area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro learnt this from two statements issued by the spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Adebayo Taofiq.

According to Taofiq, the first accident at the Trade Fair area involved an officer of the Federal Fire Service who was crushed to death by a truck.

He explained that the firefighter, stationed at the Trade Fair Complex, was attempting to cross the road when a motorcyclist riding against traffic rammed into him.

The impact reportedly pushed him into the path of a sand-laden truck whose driver could not control the vehicle, resulting in his death.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that a commercial motorcyclist riding against the approved direction of traffic at excessive speed collided with the firefighter as he attempted to cross the expressway. In the resulting confusion, an approaching Shacman truck heavily laden with sand was unable to brake effectively, culminating in the fatal incident,” Taofiq stated.

He added that both the motorcyclist and the truck driver fled the scene after realising the severity of the crash.

Taofiq said the body of the fireman was later recovered by his colleagues, while the truck was handed over to relevant authorities.

He added, “The motorcyclist responsible for the initial violation fled with his motorcycle before he was apprehended, while the driver of the Shacman truck abandoned the vehicle and escaped.

“The remains of the late firefighter were evacuated by his colleagues from the Federal Fire Service using an official ambulance from the Trade Fair Complex.”

In another statement, Taofiq confirmed a second fatal crash at the Ilubirin area of Lagos Island involving a policeman and a scavenger.

He said the driver of a Toyota Camry, who was speeding, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the victims.

He stated, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority expresses profound sorrow over another tragic road traffic incident that occurred at Ilubirin inward Simpson, Lagos Island, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a scavenger.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of a Toyota Camry, travelling at an excessive and dangerous speed, lost control, veered off his lane and forcefully struck both a scavenger and a police officer who was on a motorcycle. The impact led to their immediate and irreversible loss of life.”

Taofiq said LASTMA personnel quickly intervened, cordoned off the area and arrested the driver as he attempted to flee before handing him over to police operatives from the Adeniji Adele Division.

“LASTMA operatives professionally evacuated the accidented vehicle to prevent secondary crashes and restore normal traffic flow,” he added.

Reacting to the incidents, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, was quoted as extending condolences to the families of the deceased.

Bakare-Oki condemned the persistent disregard for traffic laws—particularly driving against traffic—stressing that such reckless behaviour continues to cause needless deaths and grief.

He urged Lagos road users to obey directional signs and comply with approved speed limits as a civic responsibility to preserve lives.

“LASTMA remains committed to promoting safety, enforcing traffic laws and fostering a more disciplined motoring culture across Lagos State,” Taofiq concluded.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the deaths of the police officer and the scavenger when contacted on Wednesday.

She identified the deceased officer as a Police Inspector attached to the Police Mounted Troop, adding that an investigation was ongoing.

“Yes, the unfortunate incident happened. An Inspector of Police attached to the Police Mounted Troop was knocked down while on his motorcycle, along with another male standing by the roadside. The case is under investigation,” Adebisi said.