Four siblings and some passersby have been reportedly crushed by a motorist driving against traffic (one way) at Amje Bus stop, in the Alagbado area of Lagos State.
While two of the children were confirmed dead, the two other siblings were said to be in a critical condition.
The police, however, confirmed one person dead and five critically injured.
It was gathered that there had been frequent accidents at the bus stop, as commercial drivers plying the route on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway drive against traffic.
An eyewitness, Samuel Adeyemo, said that the children were returning from church on Sunday when the accident happened.
He said, “The children were on their way back from church and they were buying sausage when the incident happened.
“We have been begging the authorities, especially the police, to ensure that they arrest those driving one way at this bus stop, but they choose to turn deaf ears to our pleas; look at what has happened now.”
Another eyewitness, Akeem Tajudeen, who rushed the children to a medical facility, Ajike Hospital, said that two of the children were confirmed dead at the hospital.
He said, “They have been taken to a mortuary, while the other two are fighting for their lives.
“These drivers like taking one way at Amje Bus stop despite the risks. The drivers will even be speeding, knowing that they are driving against oncoming vehicles and passersby.”
A doctor, who declined to mention his name, said he confirmed the two children dead.
He said that he referred one of the injured children to a general hospital.
He said, “The one that I am treating here is already gasping for breath, but everything is under control now. However, for the other child whose scalp is opened, I had to refer him to a general hospital.
“What is happening at Amje Bus stop in Alagbado is something the government must look into. I was almost hit by a driver yesterday (Saturday) at that same place.”
Our correspondent learned that youths in the area on Sunday afternoon barricaded the road to protest against the frequent accidents at the bus stop.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Adekunle Ajisebutu, confirmed the death of one person, adding that the motorist had been arrested.
He said, “A fatal motor accident occurred around 3 pm at Ajmer Bus stop, Ajegunle, in the Alagbado area of the state. The accident involved a black Toyota Highlander SUV with number plate, BDG 654 DC, driven by one Akinola Sulaimon.
“While driving from the Tollgate axis towards Kola Bus stop along the Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway, the driver rammed into some shops at Ajmer area. As a result of the auto crash, one female victim, Simisola Abedoye, died, while five others were critically injured.
“The injured victims were immediately taken to the General Hospital, Ota, Ogun State, where they are receiving medical treatment. The body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital for an autopsy. The driver has been arrested and he is in police custody. Efforts are being made to recover the vehicle involved in the crash.”
Telephone calls to the Deputy Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olumide Filade, were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
