LAGOS — For the second time in less than 24 hours, the Otedola Bridge has claimed the life of a dispatch rider, sparking a frantic safety alert from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The latest tragedy occurred Tuesday afternoon along the inward Secretariat stretch of the Ogudu-Toll Gate corridor. A heavy-duty Volvo truck reportedly collided with the courier, killing him instantly and sending shockwaves through the local logistics community.
This follows a near-identical fatality on Monday at the Motorways-Alapere axis, where a speeding tanker crushed another rider.
Chaos at the Corridor
LASTMA operatives on routine patrol arrived at the scene to find the wreckage obstructing one of Lagos’ busiest arteries. Fearing a secondary pile-up due to the high vehicular density, officials cordoned off the area while police from the Alausa Division maintained order.
The incident triggered massive gridlock, with a tailback of vehicles stretching as far as the Berger axis. “We worked diligently to mitigate the gridlock and restore seamless movement,” stated LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
The remains of the deceased were handed over to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for further processing.
A Growing Crisis
The recurring deaths have highlighted the extreme vulnerability of motorcycle couriers who share high-speed lanes with articulated vehicles. Bakare-Oki issued a stern warning to both truck drivers and dispatch operators, demanding “heightened vigilance and strict compliance” with safety protocols.
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“The devastating impact resulted in the immediate loss of life. This underscores the urgent need for an enhanced culture of safety,” the General Manager added.
While LASTMA and the FRSC eventually cleared the wreckage using heavy-duty tow trucks, the psychological toll on Lagos’ dispatch community continues to rise. The agency has vowed to intensify its advocacy initiatives to halt the streak of road fatalities across the state.