Intoxicated Driver Rams Bus into Streetlight in Alausa, Injures Four Passengers
Lagos, Nigeria – Four passengers, including a couple, sustained serious injuries over the weekend when a commercial bus driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, lost control and crashed into a streetlight pole in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement released by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the lone accident involved a fully loaded commercial bus with registration number KTU 69 YJ. Eyewitness accounts and preliminary investigations suggest the driver was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash, which resulted in a violent impact that left several passengers trapped and injured.
Operatives of LASTMA, who were stationed nearby, quickly responded to the scene, rescuing four individuals from the wreckage. The victims, including a man and his wife seated in the middle row, received immediate emergency care at the scene before being transferred to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). They were later taken to the Trauma and Emergency Centre at the Toll Gate for further treatment. Fortunately, the other passengers were unharmed.
The Nigeria Police Force’s Alausa Division also arrived promptly to secure the accident site, ensuring the safety of emergency responders and maintaining order during the rescue operation.
Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the dangers of drunk driving and reiterated the agency’s commitment to curbing the menace. “This unfortunate incident underscores the urgent need for continued advocacy and strict enforcement of traffic laws,” he said.
Mr. Bakare-Oki assured the public that LASTMA’s Monitoring and Surveillance Unit remains active in motor parks across the state, engaging drivers and reinforcing its campaign theme: “Don’t Drink and Drive.” He also extended his sympathies to the injured passengers and wished them a speedy recovery.
The authorities have since launched a full investigation into the incident, with the driver currently in custody.
