Police: Two students died, 12 others injured in Lagos accident

Angry youths vandalise the truck that crushed pupils in Omole, Lagos. Source: PremiumTimes

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that two students of Bab Fafunwa Millennium School, in Ojodu, Lagos, were killed on Tuesday when a DAF truck rammed into pedestrians.

The police stated that while two males died on the spot, seven females and five males totalling 12 victims sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The truck reportedly suffered a brake failure and rammed into the pedestrians including students.

The students were returning from school and waiting along with other pedestrians at the Grammar School Bus Stop on Ogunusi road when the accident occurred.

The scene of the incident was a few metres away from the Ojodu Police Station.

The casualty figure is different from what the media including The Star earlier reported.

The Star had earlier put the figure at 10 while other media put the figure at 13, 17 and 20.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement titled, ‘Fatal Motor/Pedestrians Accident At Ojodu Involving Students’ said the truck driver, Bolaji Kabiru, has been arrested.

Angry students and hoodlums set the vehicle ablaze.

Ajisebutu said: “As a result of the accident, two males died on the spot, seven females and five males totalling twelve victims sustained varying degrees of injuries.

“Traffic personnel from the Motor Traffic Department of the Ojodu Police Division immediately visited the scene. Corpses of the dead students (identity not yet known) were evacuated with the support of officers of the FRSC and were deposited at the Morgue of the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, for autopsy.

“The injured victims were taken to God’s Apple City Hospital, Ojodu Berger; St. Michael Hospital, Ojodu; and the Lagos State Emergency Hospital, Toll Gate.

“They also attacked the Ojodu Police Station in their large number, demanding the release of the driver for jungle justice.

“However, when their demand was not met, they became violent. In the process, they destroyed four vehicles parked in the premises of the police station and another mobile truck on the highway.

“To avoid total breakdown of law and order, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, immediately ordered the deployment of policemen comprising tactical teams, Rapid Response Squad and others to the scene to maintain law and order.

“The protesters were professionally dispersed with minimum force without resulting to any further injury.”