Apongbon area of Lagos state was thrown into confusion as a bikeman identified as John Abanna died at the hands of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority(LASTMA) and a commercial bus driver.
According to reports, the man was killed after the officials flagged down the commercial driver for violating a traffic law.
While trying to evade arrest, the driver reportedly made to zoom off, but one of the officials pounced on his steering wheel.
While they were struggling with the steering, the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the bike man who died on the spot.
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According to an eye witness who spoke with journalists after the incident, he said the bikeman died after hitting his head on the floor as a result of the accident.
His words:
“Some LASTMA officials wanted to arrest a Danfo driver at Apogbon for a traffic offence, but he resisted arrest. One of them started struggling with the steering wheel with the driver, who was not ready to surrender.
“The driver wanted to zoom off, not knowing a rider was right beside the bus. As the rider tried to pass, the vehicle veered and knocked him off the motorcycle. He hit his head on the floor and died on the spot.
“The LASTMA officials fled, but some ‘boys’ chased them to their office in Iponri and vandalised some vehicles. Some of the officials quickly changed their uniform to mufti.”
However, Mr. Olumide Filade, the spokesman of LASTMA, denied that the officials were responsible for the crash.
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He said:
“The incident has nothing to do with us. From Apogbon, the motorcyclist was riding against traffic when he was knocked down by the bus. No LASTMA official was struggling with the Danfo driver.
“Unfortunately, some miscreants who always support Okada riders attacked our office.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, said the corpse had been deposited at the Mainland Hospital mortuary, Yaba, and an investigation had commenced.
He said, “Police received information that some commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders had invaded LASTMA office along Funsho Williams Avenue.
“On receipt of the report, a police team mobilised to the scene. It was observed that over 100 motorcyclists were already vandalising vehicles in LASTMA colours.
“Also, a body later identified as John Abanna was lying lifeless right in front of LASTMA office. The deceased was said to have been knocked down by a Vanagon bus around Apongbon Bridge after the driver, and a LASTMA official was said to have struggled over the steering wheel, which caused the driver to run into the deceased inadvertently.
“Four vehicles were vandalised while the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at Yaba mortuary. An investigation is in progress.”
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