LASTMA Condemns One-Way Driving After Firefighter Dies in Abule-Ado Crash

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Federal Fire Service officer who was killed in a traffic incident along the Trade Fair–inward Abule-Ado service lane in Lagos.

According to LASTMA, preliminary findings show that a commercial motorcyclist, who was riding against traffic at high speed, knocked down the firefighter as he attempted to cross the expressway. In the chaos that followed, an oncoming Shacman truck (registration number JJJ 919 YK), loaded with sand, was unable to brake in time and fatally struck the victim.

LASTMA officers stationed in the Trade Fair axis were said to have responded swiftly, cordoning off the accident scene to manage traffic and protect other road users. The agency noted that officers, assisted by passersby, secured the area and alerted the Onireke Police Division. Police operatives arrived shortly after to begin investigations and maintain order.

The motorcyclist responsible for the initial collision fled the scene with his motorcycle, while the truck driver also abandoned his vehicle and escaped after realising the severity of the incident.

Colleagues of the deceased firefighter later evacuated his remains using an official Federal Fire Service ambulance dispatched from the Trade Fair Complex.

LASTMA said the truck involved in the crash was handed over to security operatives for further investigation and legal action.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condoled with the bereaved family, praying for strength to bear the loss. He also assured them of LASTMA’s support during what he described as a deeply painful period.

Bakare-Oki decried the recurring menace of one-way driving in Lagos, warning motorists and commercial motorcyclists that such violations continue to result in avoidable deaths and widespread grief.

He urged all road users to obey traffic signs, follow approved routes, and adhere to speed limits, stressing that responsible driving is essential to saving lives.

LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing traffic laws, promoting safety, and fostering a disciplined motoring culture across Lagos State.