Outrage as LASTMA Chase Causes Death of Two Road Sweepers

By Bliss Okperan

Some residents of Lagos have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) over the alleged involvement of its personnel in the death of two road sweepers.

It was reported that earlier in the day, two persons working for the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) were crushed to death by a private car owner on the Gbagada Expressway.

According to reports, the driver of a black Honda saloon car was allegedly being chased by officials of LASTMA, ostensibly for a traffic offence. He rammed into the road sweepers, who died afterwards.

The incident has sparked reactions from residents of the state and the area.

It has also generated reactions from social media users, who condemned the action of the traffic control officials.

According to an X user @IamBlaccode, “LASTMA are now the ones causing menace on the road instead of the other way round.”

“This is the second news in two to three months. The first accident they caused resulted in casualties. I blame the driver too for not stopping politely to answer queries instead of being chased,” he said.

Also reacting to the event, another user, @philkikis, who tagged the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, lamented that, “This thing keeps happening in Lagos and the government is just staring at it.”

“This will be the 4th or 5th time in just 3 months. (@jidesanwoolu) is it that you are unaware or you are just turning deaf ears,” he asked.

Meanwhile, some commercial bus drivers in Lagos popularly known as Danfo drivers staged a warning strike on today to kick against alleged extortions by operatives of LASTMA.

This left many commuters stranded at various bus stops across the metropolis, with drivers of some ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt, In-drive, and others, allegedly increasing their prices due to this development.

The situation affected some workers, who could not get vehicles to take them to their different places of work because of the actions of the aggrieved motorists.

Meanwhile, the state government and LASTMA are yet to react to the issue.