LASTMA officer ‘gravely injured’ as driver loses control of trailer in Lagos 

A Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer has been left badly injured following an accident involving a trailer in the Ogba area of the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, Adebayo Taofiq, director of public affairs and enlightenment department of LASTMA, said the accident occurred on February 4 at Agidingbi, by Oba Ogunji road, en route Omole junction.

He said the officer, who was on his way to resuming afternoon duty, would now require an “immediate amputation of his right leg”.

“The tragic incident transpired while the LASTMA officer was en route to commence his afternoon duty, underscoring the perilous consequences of careless driving on public roads,” the statement reads.

“Preliminary investigations reveal that the ill-fated trailer, bearing Bauchi State registration number KTG 33 ZZ, originated from Agidingbi by Oba Ogunji Road en route to Omole Junction in the Ogba corridor when the driver, operating at an alarmingly high velocity, lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision.

“The sheer impact of the crash inflicted severe trauma on the LASTMA officer, leading to a grievous fracture of his right leg and hand.

“Upon emergency medical assessment at the Surgical Emergency Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), attending specialists determined that the extent of the injuries necessitated an immediate amputation of his right leg.”

The agency said the driver fled the scene but was caught.

“In a brazen attempt to evade justice, the culpable trailer driver absconded from the scene,” the statement reads.

“However, through the concerted efforts of security operatives from Ojodu Police Station, in collaboration with vigilant LASTMA officials, he was swiftly apprehended.”

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA general manager, visited the officer at LASUTH.

He advised motorists, especially trailer and truck operators, to uphold a heightened sense of safety consciousness while plying the roads.