LASTMA denies causing Keke rider to commit suic!de

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has denied reports claiming its officers caused a commercial driver to commit suic!de after impounding his vehicle.

Reports of a commercial driver hanging from a rope tied on a tree in an estate along the Lagos-Shagamu expressway in Lagos made the rounds on social media with claims that the victim took his life after his vehicle was impounded. 

However, in a statement released, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, debunked the rumours circulating on Social Media insinuating that the deceased’s vehicle was impounded by officers of the agency.

Bakare Oki confirmed that the body was discovered in the early hours of yesterday (Thursday, 11th of July, 2004) by passersby and was immediately reported to the police at Shagamu Road.

‘’Several speculations were made by sympathisers present at the scene. Some said he was dressed like a motorcyclist (Okada rider),while some speculated he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider). Some even believed he was brought to the scene by his killers during the wee hours of midnight,and stage managed it to give it the semblance of suicide,because the victim’s leg was touching ground.

For brevity,no one could really identify him as either an Okada or Marwa rider from amongst several operators of Okada and Marwa who visited the scene.

It is unfortunate that the incident occurred by an Estate gate along Lagos – Shagamu Expressway” Bakare Oki said

While expressing sympathy to the deceased’s family, the General Manager warned those spreading unfounded reports to verify information before disseminating it.

He urged the public, especially motorists, to seek clarification on any traffic information through the Agency’s newly commissioned toll-free call centre (080000527862).

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was evacuated by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Yaba, Lagos.