A mobile police officer tragically lost his life on Thursday in a multiple-vehicle crash on Kara Bridge, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The officer, attached to the MOPOL 20 Division of the Nigeria Police Force, was riding his motorcycle when a truck collided with several vehicles, leading to his untimely death.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident in a statement. According to him, the crash involved a Volvo truck (registration number FKJ 484 YA), a Toyota Hiace bus (BWR 371 XC), and a Mercedes bus. The truck, which was heading towards Arepo, lost control after crashing into the Mercedes bus, and subsequently collided with the Toyota Hiace bus parked by the roadside.
“A police officer attached to Mopol 20 Division, manoeuvring his way back to the office on his motorcycle, got trapped by the incident and died instantly,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu explained.
LASEMA’s response team arrived promptly at the scene to carry out rescue operations. The body of the deceased officer was extricated using the agency’s heavy-duty equipment, the Super Metro, and was handed over to police officers from the Ojodu Division. The vehicles involved in the crash were also towed to the Ojodu Police Station for further investigation.
“The body was extricated using the agency’s heavy-duty equipment, the Super Metro, bagged, and taken to Ojodu Police Station for further processing. The ill-fated truck was recovered to a lay-by, and the Toyota Hiace bus was also towed to the station,” Oke-Osanyintolu added.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, while the Lagos State emergency team has assured the public that necessary measures were taken to clear the scene and avoid further traffic disruptions on the busy expressway.
