The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has intervened to assist a couple and several others following an incident involving a drunken bus driver who collided with a streetlight.
In a statement released on Sunday, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, detailed the situation, which occurred in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the statement, which was signed by Taofiq Adebayo, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, the accident involved a fully occupied commercial bus (registration number KTU 69 YJ).
“Initial investigations indicated that the driver, heavily intoxicated, lost control and crashed into a streetlight pole,” Mr Bakare-Oki reported.
“The severity of the crash raised alarms and resulted in significant injuries among several passengers, particularly a couple seated in the middle row.”
Thanks to the swift and coordinated response from nearby LASTMA operatives, four individuals with serious injuries—including the couple, as well as a male and female passenger—were quickly rescued from the wreckage, given emergency treatment, and stabilised at the scene.
They were later transported to the Lagos State Ambulance Service, which took them to the Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for further medical care.
Fortunately, other passengers did not suffer major injuries.
Mr Bakare-Oki noted that officers from the Alausa Division of the Nigeria Police Force ensured the area was secure, allowing responders to operate safely and preserving the accident site.
He condemned the reckless behaviour associated with driving under the influence and reaffirmed LASTMA’s commitment to tackling alcohol-impaired driving through ongoing advocacy and monitoring efforts.
He highlighted that LASTMA’s surveillance unit remains actively involved with drivers in motor parks across the state, promoting their campaign: “Don’t Drink and Drive.”
Mr Bakare-Oki expressed his heartfelt condolences to the injured passengers and wished them a speedy and full recovery.
