LASTMA official crushed to death

A 34-year-old official of Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority, LASTMA, was Tuesday
crushed to death in his attempt to arrest a driver
who reportedly violated traffic regulation at Oke-
Afa, in the Isolo area of Lagos.
Eyewitnesses said a blue Volkswagen LT bus with
number-plate LSR 942XC, drove towards Ejigbo in
an attempt to beat the traffic light on reaching
Pako. One of the LASTMA officials on duty, one
Mustapher Adeleke, reportedly attempted to stop
him. In the process, the motorist, identified as
Haruna Nuru, reportedly diverted to Okota lane,
only to swerve to Isolo lane.
An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as
Mr. Oluwole, narrated that "LASTMA official was
pursuing the driver, as he turned to Okota lane, the
LASTMA official jumped on the vehicle, but lost his
grip and fell off as the driver swerved to Isolo route,
killing him in the process. "
A statement by LASTMA, yesterday, however, reads
that; "An official of LASTMA , Adeleke has been
killed by the driver of a private vehicle (Blue
Volkswagen LT Bus) with number-plate LSR 942XC.
"The official, who was at his duty post at Oke-Afa,
Ejigbo, with his colleagues, were part of the team
drafted to the axis to control and enforce driving
against traffic along Mile 2 area.
"The driver of the bus, Haruna Nuru, drove against
traffic from Isolo end of the road and hit the officer
from behind.
Mustapha was later rushed to Isolo General
Hospital and confirmed dead. "The corpse has been
deposited at the hospital morgue.
"The driver, having noticed that he had hit a
government official, ran away with the vehicle and
was apprehended at Abimbola Road, Limca
area, after Isolo Bus-stop, and handed over to the
police. The suspect has been handed over to the
Police at Okota Police Station."
Meanwhile, LASTMA General Manager, Babatunde
Edu, has advised motorists to obey the state's
traffic laws and order and desist from "attacking,
maiming or assaulting innocent officers who are
tirelessly working to ensure that we get to our
various destinations on time and safely."