LASTMA officer and bus driver allegedly kill okada rider amid struggle for bus steering

A power tussle between an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and a commercial bus driver over a bus possession has led to the sudden death of an Okada rider in the Apogbon area of Lagos State.

According to reports gathered by Naijauto, trouble started when two LASTMA officers stopped the bus driver under claims that he flouted traffic regulations. The driver tried to play smart by fleeing the scene, but the officers were not having it. One of the officers allegedly grabbed the steering of the bus, and a heated tussle ensued. As both men struggled for the steering wheel, the bus veered off the road and rammed the Okada rider who was close by. The rider, John Abanna, was said to have died instantly.

LASTMA officers and a driver having a physical fight on the road

Agitated by the event, people went after the LASTMA officers, but they managed to escape, said an eyewitness identified as Tolu. The crowd, which consisted of youths, went straight to the LASTMA office in Iponri, and destroyed some of their vehicles. It took the intervention of the police to stop them from causing more damage.

Spokesperson of LASTMA, Olumide Filade, rebuffed claims that his officers caused the death of the motorcyclist. He said the deceased was riding against traffic before he was hit by the vehicle.

>>> Don't be like the bus driver! Know traffic offenses and penalties! LASTMA - Traffic offenses, fines, and penalties

Speaking about the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, DSP Bala Elkana, said they received information about the ongoing chaos, and swung into action.

“On receipt of the report, a police team mobilized to the scene. It was observed that over 100 motorcyclists were already vandalizing vehicles in LASTMA colors.

“Also, a body later identified as John Abanna was lying lifeless right in front of LASTMA office. The deceased was said to have been knocked down by a Vanagon bus around Apongbon Bridge after the driver and a LASTMA official were said to have struggled over the steering wheel which caused the driver to inadvertently run into the deceased.

“Four vehicles were vandalized while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at Yaba mortuary. Investigation is in progress.”

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