Driver crushes pedestrian to death in Lagos

A hit-and-run driver has crushed a pedestrian to death around the Mobil filling station at Otedola Bridge in Lagos.

The Lagos State Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident on Saturday, December 30.

Farinloye, in a statement, disclosed that the pedestrian was also mangled by high speeding vehicles, saying the body of the victim could not be identified.

He said the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) had been alerted to help evacuate the mangled body from the highway to prevent further crushing by moving vehicles.

Farinloye urged Nigerians to exercise utmost safety consciousness during the festive period.

He said the appeal became necessary due to deaths observed in the usual patrol during festive period along the major highways.

The NEMA official said: “Just yesterday evening, an articulated truck, which had brake failure, hit a woman at Dalemo bus stop, Ado Odo/Ota LGA, Ogun State and she died on the spot.

“All efforts to reach out to her family members have been futile due to lack of means of identity that could have helped to trace her relations.

“Therefore, NEMA is urging residents around this area who have not been able to trace their missing relative to contact FRSC Officer, Akowe of the Ota Unit.”

Farinloye said NEMA has been patrolling major highways during the festive period to assist lead agencies in road safety efforts, for prompt, effective, and efficient response to any emergency when needed.

Farinloye enjoined commuters to caution their drivers with due respect and dignity when they are observed to be exhausted, tired, fatigued, or dozing off on the steering.

He said the attention of safety officers at the closest point must be drawn to the problem, which would make the driver take a rest before continuing his journey.

The Star