LASTMA NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH OF TRICYCLE RIDER

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would want to categorically refute the claim that any of its agents are not to blame for the lifeless body discovered hanging outside the gate of an estate on the Lagos-Shambu Expressway.

The general manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has refuted rumors that have been going around on social media about the deceased’s car being seized by agency personnel.

According to Mr. Bakare Oki, pedestrians found the body early on Thursday, July 11, 2004, and reported it to the police near Shagamu Road right away.

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” said Mr. Bakare Oki.

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 center (080000527862)

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