A fatal road accident claimed the life of a cyclist on Monday beneath the LASUTH Bridge along the Airport Road corridor in Ikeja, Lagos, after a collision with a DAF articulated truck.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the incident occurred as both the cyclist and the truck approached the roundabout under the bridge from the Maryland axis at the same time.
In a statement, LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq explained that the cyclist failed to keep a safe distance from the truck while navigating the traffic light area.
“The cyclist was reportedly unable to maintain a safe clearance from the moving truck. Within a matter of moments, the situation escalated disastrously, resulting in the cyclist being violently crushed and succumbing to fatal injuries on the spot,” Taofiq said.
LASTMA officials stationed in the area responded immediately to the accident. The truck driver, who allegedly attempted to flee the scene, was apprehended and handed over to officers at the Ikeja Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution.
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To ensure safety and ease congestion, officials of the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SHEMU) were invited to evacuate the remains of the deceased from the roadway.
Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, expressed sadness over the loss and offered condolences to the victim’s family, praying for strength and comfort for them.
He urged cyclists and commercial motorcyclists to exercise greater caution on Lagos roads, stressing the need to always prioritise personal safety and adhere strictly to traffic rules.
Giwa warned against using expressways, highways and other major roads where the risk of fatal accidents is high.
“The Lagos State Government has over time, sustained intensive sensitisation initiatives through public jingles and documentary campaigns aimed at enlightening cyclists and other vulnerable road users on the necessity of confining their movements to inner roads, away from highways and high-risk corridors. This safety directive equally applies to skateboard users and other non-motorized conveyances,” he said.
The state government, through LASTMA, reaffirmed its commitment to strict traffic enforcement, sustained public enlightenment and the protection of all road users, while calling on motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to act responsibly and obey traffic laws to prevent avoidable tragedies.
