Admin l Monday, January 30, 2023
IKEJA, Lagos – The Lagos State Government has commiserated with the families who lost their loved ones in the Ojuelegba truck accident on Sunday, January 29, 2023.
Nine commuters lost their lives when an unlatched 40 feet container fell on a danfo commercial bus at Ojuelegba, killing 9 passengers in the process.
In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho said among victims so far identified by the state are Miss Blessing Isioma “F”; Abdurahman Okoya Sunday “M”; Felix John Ifeanyi “M” 40year and Olatokunbo Basirat King “F’ 49years among others yet to be identified.
He said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the police to speed up their investigation of the matter after receiving an interim report of the incident.
Besides, he has given the following directives:
“The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted; Ministry of Transportation and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) should meet urgently to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks; and
“All the laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must be enforced with more vigour and diligence”, he said, adding that the incident of 29th January, 2023 is one too many and it shows the irresponsibility of owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles who under the law should care for other road users.
“The Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for large containers that fall off trucks and injure or kill citizens, who are going about their lawful businesses. The driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and owner (Wasiu Lekan) of a container which killed three (3) people on the 26th July, 2020 on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ilasamaja were prosecuted and convicted on the 28th February, 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment by Hon. Justice Okikiolu Ighile.
“The State Government will, in a similar manner, ensure that the driver and the owner of the truck involved in the January 29th incident are put on trial for the needless death of our dear citizens. This, we hope, will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for other people’s lives that Lagos will not condone their recklessness. They must be stopped, with the strong backing of our laws, because their actions offend our avowed commitment to safety and decency”, he said.
