At least three persons have been killed in an auto crash that occured in the Alakija area of Lagos.
The victims, traveling on two commercial motorcycles, were involved in a head-on collision with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle en route to Okomaiko in the Ojo area from Mile 2.
According to reports, the victims were returning home after a football match at Navy Town in Ojo when their motorcycles collided with the Lagos State government-owned commercial bus.
The incident sparked anger among local youths, who were on the verge of setting the bus on fire.
However, the situation was diffused by the timely arrival of police officers from FESTAC Police Station, led by Divisional Police Officer Balogun Gboyega.
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One of the motorcyclists’ bodies was claimed by their relatives, while the three others were taken to FESTAC Police Station.
The BRT driver was also rescued by the police from an angry mob that had nearly lynched him.
Both the BRT driver and his bus were later taken to the station.
A police source said that most of the okada (motorcycle) riders are not aware that riding on the BRT lane from Okomaiko to Mile 2 had been outlawed with the commencement of BRT bus operations on the route.
“The state government had earlier last week outlawed the use of the BRT lane by either okada riders or commercial buses. Some of them are aware but even at that they still want to drive or ride on the BRT lane. This accounts for the crash,” the police source said.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the phone said the auto crash occurred at about 5.40 pm on Wednesday. Hundeyin said the crash involved a BRT Mercedes bus with registration number BRI 043 belonging to the state and was driven by one Olubor Oluwasegun.
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He said the driver was driving along Mile 2 BRT lane heading for Iyana Iba side and that on getting to Alakija, ran over a motorcycle.
“The rider was riding against traffic with two passengers identified as Waidi Kadiri Momoh, 23, and Enegide Azuka, 20. It also involved one other identified as Divine Omosowo. As a result of the accident, four victims sustained injuries. Three died on the spot while Omosowo was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention. Two corpses were deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary, Yaba,” he said.
Hundeyin further explained that before the arrival of traffic officers, the rider’s corpse was taken away by his people.