The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has distanced itself from the death of an alleged tricyclist who committed suicide on Thursday.
It was alleged that the supposed tricycle operator had ended it all because his tricycle was impounded by LASTMA officials.
Reacting, the agency via a press statement released by its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, denies having a hand in the unfortunate incident.
The statement obtained by Theliberationnews read: “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) wishes to debunk in no equivocal terms that its operatives are not responsible for the dead body found hanging by the gate of an Estate along Lagos – Shagamu Expreeway, Lagos
“LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has debunked rumours circulating on Social Media insinuating that the deceased’s vehicle was impounded by officers of the agency.
“Mr. Bakare Oki confirmed that the body was discovered early hour of yesterday (Thursday, 11th of July, 2004) by passersby and was immediately reported to the police at Shagamu Road.
“Several speculations were made by sympathisers present at the scene. Some said he was dressed like a motorcyclist (Okada rider),while some speculated he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider). Some even believed he was brought to the scene by his killers during the wee hours of midnight,and stage managed it to give it the semblance of suicide,because the victim’s leg was touching ground.
For brevity,no one could really identify him as either an Okada or Marwa rider from amongst several operators of Okada and Marwa who visited the scene.
“It is unfortunate that the incident occurred by an Estate gate along Lagos – Shagamu Expressway” said Mr. Bakare Oki.
“While expressing sympathy to the deceased’s family, the General Manager warned those spreading unfounded reports to verify information before disseminating it.
“He urged the public, especially motorists, to seek clarification on any traffic information through the Agency’s newly commissioned toll-free call center (080000527862)
“Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was evacuated by State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Yaba, Lagos.”