Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed police to expedite investigations into a container accident in the state’s Ojuelegba district on Sunday that killed nine people and said the truck driver and owner, who are currently in police custody, must be prosecuted.
Furthermore, after receiving an interim report on the incident, the Governor also directed that the Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should meet urgently to find a durable solution to the threat of the truck falling, adding that all laws governing the incident of the truck And the operation of related vehicles must be more active and diligent.
In issuing the directive on Monday, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed sympathy for the families who lost loved ones in the tragic events in Ojuelegba and prayed that God “comfort them and grant them strength to get through this difficult time.”
Calling the tragic incident one too many, the Premier said “it shows the irresponsibility of the owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles, who are under the law to look after other road users,” although he recalled the driver’s name as Sodiq Okanlawon Ilasamaja was indicted and convicted on February 28, 2022 of the container owner Wasiu Lekan who killed three people on the Oshodi/Apapa Highway on July 26, 2020, and was sentenced to life imprisonment by Hon. Justice Okekioru Yijile.
“Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for large containers falling from trucks and injuring or killing citizens engaged in legitimate business. Three (3) people were killed on the Oshodi/Apapa highway in Ilasamaja on 26 July 2020 The container driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and owner (Wasiu Lekan) were charged and convicted on February 28, 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Okekioru Igil.
“The state government will similarly ensure that the truck drivers and owners involved in the events of January 29 are brought to trial for the unnecessary death of our dear citizens.
“We hope that this will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for the lives of others that their reckless actions will not be condoned in Lagos.
“They must be stopped, with the strong support of our laws, because their actions violate our commitment to safety and decency,” the statement said.
