A female street sweeper with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has lost her life in a tragic and preventable accident in the Alimosho area of Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025, along Meiran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro, involved a bus driver whose reckless manoeuvre proved fatal.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to an official statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident involved a blue Ford bus with registration number BDG 495 YH. The vehicle, loaded with bottled and canned beverages, was recklessly and unlawfully reversing on the expressway. During this dangerous manoeuvre, the bus rammed into the unsuspecting LAWMA operative who was diligently carrying out her routine roadside cleaning duties. The impact was severe and instantly fatal.
Driver's Flight and Arrest
In a bid to escape responsibility, the driver of the bus absconded from the crash site immediately after the incident. However, swift action by LASTMA officers who were on active traffic surveillance in the Meiran axis led to his capture. The officers, upon receiving a distress call, mobilised to the scene, pursued the fleeing vehicle, and successfully apprehended the driver. He was escorted back to the scene alongside the vehicle involved.
The apprehended driver and the bus were subsequently handed over to officers of the Meiran Police Division for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution under the law. The timely intervention of the security personnel also prevented a potential breakdown of law and order, as angry residents who witnessed the event were on the verge of meting out mob justice on the suspect.
Official Reaction and Aftermath
The spokesperson for LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement, expressing the agency's profound grief. Meanwhile, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the event as a distressing and avoidable loss of life, highlighting the tragedy of the situation.
Officials from LAWMA later arrived at the scene and evacuated the remains of the deceased using an official agency vehicle for further necessary procedures. The incident has once again brought to the fore critical issues of road safety and the protection of sanitation workers who are vulnerable while performing their essential duties on Lagos roads.
