Another container falls in Lagos, as Sanwo-Olu orders prosecution of owners

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A day after a container crushed the occupants of a commercial bus in Lagos, another container has fallen on Monday.

A tweep, who shared the video said his sister recorded the scene on her way to work.

He said, “January 30, 2023. My sister, on her way to the office before Tower company going to Iyana Ipaja.”

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The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency has said that the fallen 40 feet container occupied 90 per cent of the road.

LASTMA said, “A 40ft container laden truck fell at Sawmill inward Dopemu under bridge, it’s occupying 90 per cent of road. Our men are on ground doing the needful as effort is on for recovery.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, after receiving an interim report of the incident, has directed the police to speed up their investigation of the matter. Besides, he has given the following directives:

The driver of the truck and the owner, who are in police custody, must be prosecuted; Ministry of Transportation and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) should meet urgently to find a lasting solution to the menace of falling trucks; and 

All the laws governing the operations of trucks and related vehicles must be enforced with more vigour and diligence.

The incident of 29th January, 2023 is one too many and it shows the irresponsibility of owners and drivers of such articulated vehicles who under the law should care for other road users.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has ordered the prosecution of the driver (Sodiq Okanlawon) and owner (Wasiu Lekan) of a container which killed three (3) people on the 26th July, 2020 on Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ilasamaja were prosecuted and convicted on the 28th February, 2022 and sentenced to life imprisonment by Hon. Justice Okikiolu Ighile.
The State Government said it will, in a similar manner, ensure that the driver and the owner of the truck involved in the January 29th incident are put on trial for the needless death of our dear citizens. This, we hope, will send a strong message to all those who have no regard for other people’s lives that Lagos will not condone their recklessness. They must be stopped, with the strong backing of our laws, because their actions offend our avowed commitment to safety and decency.