Man killed by hit-and-run motorists

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013  

Some residents at the scene

Some residents of the Olopomeji end of Oworonshoki Expressway, Lagos State on Monday cried after one of them, identified only as Emmanuel, was crushed by a vehicle while attempting to cross the expressway.

PUNCH Metro learnt that after the deceased was knocked down by the vehicle, other oncoming vehicles heading towards the Third Mainland Bridge also ran over him.

It was learnt that the corpse was left on the road for hours until emergency officials arrived the scene.

When our correspondent visited the scene, relatives of the deceased were seen crying while the corpse was being conveyed into an ambulance.

Our correspondent also observed a pedestrian bridge about 60 metres from where the incident occurred.

Residents, however, blamed the government over the incident.

PUNCH Metro had reported on June 11, 2013 that the Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Sofola,  ordered the sealing of the pedestrian bridge due to its derelict state.

 It had also been reported that the bridge, which was constructed by the Federal Government in the 1970s had been in a state of disrepair for over two years.

 Speaking with our correspondent at the scene on Monday, the General Secretary, Council of Oworonshoki Youth Forum, Babajide Kabiawu, described Emmanuel’s death as an avoidable tragedy.

He said the deceased, who was also his friend, was not married and his mother was an employee of the state government.

He added that it was because of the dilapidated state of the bridge that the deceased resorted to crossing the road. He said at least four others had been injured recently while attempting to cross the expressway.

He said the condition of the bridge was regrettable, as the community had made representations to the government without getting results.

He said, “In 2011, when we lodged complaints about this bridge, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, South West Zone, was here. He promised to write a report to the headquartres in Abuja. But it is saddening that up till now, nothing has been done about it. Is it when lives are involved that they will be bothered?’’

When contacted on the telephone, the assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed Emmanuel’s death to our correspondent.

“The incident occurred around 4am on Monday. No vehicle was identified but the corpse has been recovered,” he said.