A dispatch rider has lost his life in a fatal collision involving a heavy-duty Volvo truck at Otedola Bridge inward Secretariat along the Ogudu Toll Gate corridor of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Mr Adebayo Taofiq.
According to the statement, the crash, which occurred less than 24 hours after a similar incident in Lagos, underscores growing concerns over the vulnerability of dispatch riders on major highways.
The statement read, “The fatal crash involved a heavy-duty Volvo truck and a dispatch rider. The devastating impact resulted in the immediate loss of the rider’s life at the scene.
“LASTMA operatives on routine patrol around Otedola swiftly responded to the accident scene, where they promptly secured and cordoned off the accident area to forestall any secondary incidents, particularly given the high vehicular density along the corridor.
“The remains of the deceased dispatch rider were respectfully handed over to officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who were present at the scene in support of traffic management operations.”
It added that security reinforcement was provided by policemen from the Alausa Police Station to ensure orderliness during the rescue and evacuation process.
The agency noted that the articulated truck and the dispatch motorcycle were subsequently removed by a tow truck to restore normal traffic flow.
Despite the swift response, the incident led to significant traffic congestion, with a backlog stretching towards the Berger axis.
“LASTMA officials, however, worked diligently to mitigate the gridlock and restore seamless vehicular movement within the shortest possible time,” it stated.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as tragic.
He stressed the need for stricter adherence to traffic regulations and greater caution among road users.
The incident follows Monday accident in which a tanker crushed a dispatch rider to death in the Motorways Inward Estate area of Alapere, Lagos State
