By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Monday, apprehended a suspected ritualist inside a commercial tricycle involved in an accident in Lagos, with more than 100 pieces of used small children diapers and huge sum of money of different denominations.
Three other severely injured passengers were also rescued by the operatives in the fatal accident which occurred at Mosalasi Round-About inward Iyana-Ipaja area of the state.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Agency, Adebayo Taofiq made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, ” LASTMA Akanji Wasiu (Bravo 16) who led the rescue operations, confirmed that the accident involved three vehicles, a Mazda commercial bus (FKJ 88 XH), Tricycle (Keke Marwa KJA 369 QM) and a white Camry car (KJA 351 HG) on main carriage way at Iyana-Ipaja area of Lagos.
” Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of a white Camry car lost control due to over speeding and hit a commercial tricycle from the rear while the tricycle went off balanced and obstructed another up coming fully loaded Mazda commercial bus going to Iyana-Ipaja.
” Those rescued three accident victims were immediately rushed to different hospitals by thier relatives but, unfortunately one of them, (male) reportedly died along the road to hospital.
” The vehicles involved in the accident were immediately removed from the road to avoid impeding free flow of traffic and handed over to Police men from Gowon Estate Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigations.
” One of the passengers inside the commercial tricycle involved in the accident was caught with more than 100 pieces of used small children ‘Diapers Pampers’ with huge sum of money of different denominations was immediately handed over to Police men at the scene of the accident.
” The General Manager of LASTMA Mr Bolaji Oreagba who stated that it was a ‘man-made’ accident which could have been prevented if over-speeding was avoided.
” He maintained that the government embarked on regular public education on danger inherent in over-speeding by both private, commercial and trucks drivers across the State.
“My Oreagba however warned every motoring public to always ensure that their vehicles are in good condition, particularly the break before driving them on Lagos roads”.
