At least two people died in a tragic incident unfolded on the Kara Market overhead bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as a suspected hit-and-run driver careened out of control, striking three pedestrians waiting for a commercial bus.
The impact was devastating, causing two of the pedestrians, Yahaya Suleiman and Emeka, to be knocked off the bridge to their untimely deaths.
The third pedestrian, identified only as Ishola, is currently battling for his life in the hospital.
Eyewitnesses, like Issa, a nearby pure water seller, recounted the harrowing scene.
They described how the driver, in a moment of loss of control, tragically altered the lives of these individuals, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and unanswered questions.
Issa said, “The driver was speeding, and I think he lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the three people who were waiting by the roadside to board a bus. The impact of the hit knocked two of the three travellers off the bridge. The driver sped off immediately after.”
Spokesperson for Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, disclosing that Suleiman and Emeka, who were knocked off the bridge, died in the hospital.
She said, “They were taken to the Lagos State Emergency Clinic at the old toll gate in the Ojota Area of Lagos State. The two travellers who fell off the bridge were confirmed dead minutes after they were rushed to the hospital.
“The driver was believed to have lost control of his vehicle before ramming into the three travellers who were waiting to board a vehicle on the bridge. The third traveller, Ishola, sustained serious injuries. He is still in the hospital.
“The corpses of the victims have been taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in the Sagamu area of Ogun State for preservation and autopsy. We are making efforts to trace the family of the deceased to inform them about the incident. We are also working on identifying and arresting the driver.”
Between January and June 2024, Ogun State witnessed a series of tragic incidents involving pedestrians falling victim to suspected hit-and-run drivers on major highways.
The first incident, in January, claimed the life of Nigerian Police Force Inspector Bulus Joel on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
More recently, in June, 22-year-old traveller Elizabeth James met a similar fate on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway.
These incidents serve as stark reminders of the dangers faced by pedestrians on busy highways and highlight the need for increased road safety measures and awareness campaigns to prevent further loss of life.
