The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), General Manager, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, has confirmed the death of one of its officials, Jamiu Issa. who was knocked down and ran over by a driver who had driven against the flow of traffic in the Lekki area of the state, while trying to escape arrest.
Oreagba, who made this known via a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, that the errant driver drove a green Toyota Sienna vehicle against traffic, with registration number FST 901 AR at the time of the ugly incident.
According to him, the late Issa accosted the driver, who drove one-way facing oncoming vehicles from the Chevron area, towards the Conservation Toll Plaza.
“Issa the LASTMA patrol team leader in Ajah was knocked down and ran over by the traffic law offender, who had pretended to be alighting from the vehicle. The driver changed his action and tried to escape by reversing the vehicle, knocking down Issa with the opened door while the front tire ran over the officer. This action fatally injured Issa in the process”.
“Issa’s colleagues at the scene of the event quickly put a call through to the zonal head while some Good Samaritans and eyewitnesses chased the escaping Sienna driver to the Chevron Waterfront area where he was eventually apprehended and taken first to Ilasan Police Station.
“The driver was eventually taken to Ajiwe Police Station under which jurisdiction the event happened for proper investigation. According to other eye witnesses’ accounts, the driver also knocked down another person while he was trying to escape from the scene,” Oreagba disclosed.
“Issa was rushed to the Lagos Island General Hospital where he was certified dead by doctors due to multiple fractures and loss of blood.”
He said that in spite of the many appeals and warnings to the public to desist from assaulting and injuring government officials, some unscrupulous elements had refused to yield to such pleas.
He said the erring driver would be made to face the full wrath of the law and will also serve as a reference point for anyone who wants to break traffic laws.
Oreagba also noted that the latest incident would not deter LASTMA officials from carrying out their official duties, as enshrined in the law that set up the agency.
He appealed to the public to abide by the laws governing the state to avoid attendant consequences.
