BY Janefrances Chibundu
Four persons, including a pregnant woman, have reportedly lost their lives in the Ago Palace Way area of mainland Lagos, following a steering wheel tussle between a driver and a police officer.
Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday during ‘rush hour’.
“The traffic offender and the police were struggling for the steering wheel. They both lost control of the car which then ran into school children aged four and six who were being picked up from their home to school by a tricycle (Keke) rider,” one eyewitness told TheCable.
“The police officers had chased the car from the major road into a residential street, which is just a street away from mine.
“Unfortunately, the car crashed into the stationary tricycle, the kids waiting to board the tricycle, their pregnant mother and the driver of the Keke. They all died on the spot.”
Another eyewitness told TheCable that the incident sparked outrage and led to chaos in Ago.
“There was chaos in Ago this morning,” he said.
“A traffic offender and police were tussling the car. Car goes out of control, flattens a Keke with a woman and her two kids; all dead including Keke rider.
“Policeman almost lynched, more police officers and personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) arrived at the scene to salvage the situation, shooting in the air and all.
“There was teargas and then a full blown protest.”
Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police command spokesperson, did not immediately respond to phone calls and text messages when TheCable tried to reach him over the incident.
However, in a post on X hours later, Hundeyin said an investigation has commenced.
“This ugly incident happened when a driver fleeing from LASTMA officials who accosted him for driving against traffic ran into a tricycle,” the police spokesperson wrote.
“Unfortunately, two persons have been confirmed dead, while two children are currently receiving treatment in hospital.
“The policeman attached to the LASTMA team was severely attacked and grievously wounded by an angry mob. He is unconscious and currently being treated in hospital.
“Police backup teams immediately deployed to the scene have since restored normalcy in the area.
“Investigation has commenced into the incident.”
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