The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) warned motorists, especially commercial drivers, not to drink and drive as the agency rescued accident victims of a lone vehicular crash involving a fully occupied, painted commercial bus (KTU 69 YJ), which occurred over the weekend in the Alausa corridor of Ikeja, Lagos.

This warning was given by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in a press release by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq. 

The General Manager, in his remarks on the accident, condemned the reckless endangerment caused by driving under the influence. He reaffirmed the Authority’s unwavering resolve to combat alcohol-impaired driving through continuous advocacy and surveillance. 

Mr Bakare-Oki emphasized that LASTMA’s Monitoring and Surveillance Unit remains actively engaged with drivers in motor parks across the State, reinforcing the Agency’s signature campaign: “Don’t Drink and Drive.”

He extended heartfelt sympathies to the injured passengers and conveyed his earnest wishes for their swift and complete recovery.

The preliminary investigations revealed that the driver, grievously impaired by alcohol, lost vehicular control and violently rammed into a streetlight pole.

The ferocity of the impact triggered widespread alarm and resulted in significant injuries to several passengers, notably a couple seated in the middle row.

"Thanks to the rapid and professionally coordinated intervention of LASTMA operatives stationed nearby, four severely injured individuals—including the aforementioned couple, along with one male and one female passenger—were swiftly extricated from the wreckage, administered emergency care, and stabilized on-site. " Said Adebayo Taofiq.

They were subsequently transferred to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), which conveyed them to the Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for specialized medical attention. Fortunately, the remaining passengers sustained no serious injuries.

Throughout the rescue operation, officers of the Alausa Division of the Nigeria Police Force maintained a secured perimeter, ensuring the safety of responders and the preservation of the accident scene.