Lagos Mourns Fallen Hero: Firefighter Killed by Reckless Rider

Lagos is in mourning following the death of a Federal Fire Service officer, whose life was tragically cut short in a road accident along the Trade Fair-inward Abule-Ado service lane. Beyond the statistics, this incident highlights the human cost of reckless driving in the city.

Preliminary findings show that a commercial motorcyclist, riding against traffic at high speed, struck the firefighter as he attempted to cross the expressway. The situation worsened when a heavily loaded Shacman truck (registration number JJJ 919 YK), unable to brake in time, became involved in the collision.

The motorcyclist fled the scene with his motorcycle, while the truck driver abandoned the vehicle and escaped, leaving bystanders and emergency personnel to manage the aftermath.

Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), confirmed that the agency’s personnel responded swiftly. With help from passersby, they cordoned off the accident scene and immediately contacted the Onireke Police Division, which arrived to investigate and ensure safety.

The firefighter’s remains were evacuated by colleagues using an official Federal Fire Service ambulance deployed from the Trade Fair Complex. The truck was handed over to Police authorities for further investigation and legal action.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed heartfelt condolences to the firefighter’s family and colleagues, offering prayers for strength and comfort during this difficult period. He also used the tragedy to issue a stern warning to all road users, particularly commercial motorcyclists, highlighting the persistent dangers of one-way driving in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki emphasized that reckless behavior on Lagos roads continues to claim innocent lives and leave families and communities in grief. He urged all road users to observe traffic signs and adhere to speed limits, describing such discipline as a fundamental civic duty.

This tragedy not only underlines the courage and dedication of the city’s first responders but also serves as a sobering reminder of the human lives behind traffic statistics. As Lagos mourns a fallen hero, the call for safer roads has never been more urgent.

Tags: Metro, Lagos, Fire Service, Road Safety, Human Interest, LASTMA