Anthony Iwuoma
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested the driver of a hit-and-run truck who, on Tuesday, crushed some pupils in the Ojodu area of the state.
The State police spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the fleeing driver’s arrest. He also said an investigation into the incident had commenced.
Ajisebutu told newsmen: “The driver has been arrested. Investigation into the accident is ongoing.”
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The truck had run into a group of students and crushed over ten of them to death while injuring several others.
An angry mob had pounced on the driver and reportedly chased him, as he fled to the Ogba area where the police arrested him.
The mob, which comprised angry youths, also clashed with policemen, who tried to maintain law and order at the scene.
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps has debunked reports that its operatives caused the accident, which grounded vehicular movement in the area, causing commuters to trek long distances.
Lagos State Sector Commander, Olusegun Ogungbemide, confirmed that the truck lost control, resulting in the death of an “unverified number of students and leaving many injured.”
He, however, added that the claim that the FRSC was involved in the accident was false, saying the accident had already taken place before passersby called men of FRSC to help intervene.
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“About seven (7) of the victims were rescued and immediately taken to Lagos State Emergency Centre Ojota by FRSC personnel while another road user helped in carrying about seven (7) also to the same emergency centre,” the statement read in part.
“The general public should disregard the disgruntled information being circulated by some unscrupulous element that FRSC men caused the crash.
“We want to place on record that our men were not in any way involved in the cause of the crash as patrol activities were not ongoing along that axis as at the time of the crash.”
Emergency responders, including operatives of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, were also seen at the scene but retreated, following the ensuing fracas.
