LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck
Lagos — In a dramatic scene early Wednesday morning, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) rescued a sanitation worker who was critically injured after being struck by a speeding truck along one of the state’s busiest arteries. The incident has drawn renewed attention to the dangers faced by frontline workers and the pressing need for improved road discipline in Africa’s fastest-growing megacity.
According to eyewitness accounts and official statements released by LASTMA, the accident occurred at about 6:10 a.m. on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, where the sanitation worker was performing his duties sweeping debris from the dual carriageway. The worker was suddenly hit by a large articulated truck that was said to be travelling at high speed, sending him sprawling onto the road and into nearby traffic. The responding officers quickly swung into action, and the LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck narrative became the defining moment of the morning’s traffic horror.
LASTMA’s Area Commander for Oshodi, Mr. Emmanuel Okon, told journalists that the injured man was bleeding and unresponsive when first responders arrived. “We received a distress alert from motorists, and the team got here within minutes,” Okon said. “It was clear that this worker needed urgent attention. Without hesitation, we called the emergency medical services, administered first aid, and ensured he was rushed to a nearby hospital.”
Sanitation Workers at Risk
The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck incident underscores a broader safety challenge — the exposure of sanitation workers to traffic hazards while performing essential public duties. In Lagos, where high volume road networks constantly attract heavy commercial vehicles, sanitation crews often work in perilous conditions with minimal protective barriers.
Speaking at the scene, a colleague of the injured sanitation worker said the team had been assigned to clear debris in the early hours to reduce traffic obstruction and prevent secondary accidents. “We always try to get the work done before peak hours,” he said. “But today, a speeding truck came without slowing down and hit him.”
Authorities said the accident spot — a stretch near Mile 2 Bus Stop — is a known trouble point for speeding trucks and reckless driving. Drivers using the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway have been repeatedly cautioned about enforcing speed limits, especially near work zones and pedestrian crossings.
The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck event became even more dramatic as commuters and commercial drivers pulled over to help flag down traffic, assist the fallen worker and give way to emergency responders. Video footage shared by bystanders on social media showed LASTMA officers attending to the injured man, directing chaotic traffic and calming nervous motorists as the ambulance arrived.
Medical Response and Condition Update
The injured worker was rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where medical teams took over his care. A source at the hospital confirmed the man was receiving treatment for multiple fractures and abrasions, and was in stable condition after emergency interventions. Doctors said the man was conscious and responding to pain stimuli, but cautioned that he would remain under observation for complications due to head and lower limb trauma.
Spokespeople for LASUTH commended LASTMA’s swift action. “Their timely intervention likely saved this man’s life,” one clinician said. “Had he been left unattended in busy traffic, the outcome could have been far worse.”
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Truck Driver Arrested, Investigation Underway
Following the LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck operation, the driver of the truck — identified as Mr. Chinedu Eze — was stopped by LASTMA patrol officers and taken into custody for questioning. Officials allege that preliminary investigations showed the driver was exceeding the 50 km/h speed limit specified for work-zone areas and failed to observe official road signs warning of ongoing sanitation operations.
Okon said the driver would be prosecuted under the Lagos State Road Traffic Law for reckless driving and causing grievous bodily harm. “We will not relent in ensuring that those who endanger lives on our roads face the consequences,” he said.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority also appealed to transport unions and trucking associations to intensify internal sanctions on drivers who flout speed limits, particularly during early morning hours when road workers are most active. The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck case, authorities said, should serve as a wake-up call.
Public Reaction and Safety Advocacy
News of the incident spread rapidly on social media, prompting reactions from commuters, labour groups, civil society organisations and safety advocates. Many users criticised commercial drivers for habitual overspeeding and failure to respect work-zone warnings.
A Lagos-based commuter wrote: “Sanitation workers keep our roads clean and safe. It’s heartbreaking to see one of them injured because a truck driver refused to slow down.”
Labour advocates also condemned the incident, urging the state government to introduce stronger protective measures for sanitation crews, including reflective uniforms, safety cones, temporary barriers and increased police presence near high-risk zones.
Context: Road Safety in Lagos
The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck incident highlights systemic road safety challenges in Lagos, where over 20 million residents commute daily on roads shared with heavy commercial vehicles. Despite efforts by LASTMA and other enforcement agencies to promote compliance with traffic laws, speeding, driver fatigue and inadequate enforcement remain persistent problems.
According to a 2025 report by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos consistently ranks among states with high incidences of traffic crashes and road fatalities. A significant share of deadly accidents involve commercial trucks, minibuses and motorcycles.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in response to the incident, urged residents and drivers alike to prioritise road safety. In a statement released through his media office, he said: “Our sanitation workers are public servants who deserve protection as they keep our city clean. Reckless driving that endangers lives has no place in Lagos.”
Looking Ahead: Safety Measures and Policy
The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck event has renewed calls for stronger integration between road safety education, traffic enforcement, and public awareness. Transport experts say that efforts must go beyond enforcement alone, stressing the need for robust highway design, conspicuous signage, and community education on road etiquette.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Funke Adeoye, said the authority will soon launch a targeted campaign focusing on commercial drivers. “We are partnering with trucking unions and logistics firms to emphasise that compliance with speed limits and work-zone safety protocols is non-negotiable.”
Meanwhile, the sanitation worker remains hospitalised as investigations continue. The LASTMA rescues Lagos sanitation worker hit by speeding truck headline has become shorthand for a growing demand: safer roads for all, not just commuters.
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