A truck driver assistant was crushed to death while attempting to stabilise a moving truck by placing a wooden plank beneath its tyres in the Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
This is just as the driver was arrested by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who were on a 24-hour night patrol of the area and handed over to the police.
PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from a statement by the LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, that the incident occurred on Wednesday night.
Taofiq noted that preliminary findings indicated that the truck had developed a failed brake system, and while the motorboy was attempting to stabilise the truck’s speed with a wooden plank, he was run over and died at the spot.
Taofiq stated, “In a distressing and avoidable tragedy that unfolded late last night, November 12, 2025, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority Special Night Gang Patrol Team apprehended the driver of a heavily loaded truck after he fatally crushed his motor boy to death at Ogolonto Traffic Light Intersection, inward Ikorodu Roundabout.
“Preliminary findings from the joint security investigation revealed that the deceased motor boy had alighted from the moving loaded truck to assist the driver in stabilising the truck by placing a wooden plank beneath its tyres, as the braking mechanism of the vehicle was reportedly defective. In the course of this effort, the unfortunate motor boy slipped and fell beneath the rear tyres, which ran over him, resulting in his instantaneous and tragic death.
“Displaying exceptional promptness and professionalism, LASTMA officers immediately cordoned off the accident scene to forestall further chaos and ensure the safety of other road users. Operatives of the Ipakodo Police Division were swiftly contacted and arrived at the scene to take over the case.”
He noted that the driver was handed over to the police for further action, while the body of the deceased was deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital.
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, consoled with the family of the deceased and stressed that the accident was a preventable one.
“He emphasised that mechanical negligence and poor vehicle maintenance pose severe risks not only to the operators themselves but also to the lives of innocent road users.
“The General Manager further reiterated the Lagos State Government’s unwavering resolve to promote road safety, discipline, and orderliness across all highways in the state through sustained enforcement, proactive public enlightenment, and strategic collaboration with security and safety agencies,” Taofiq added.
PUNCH Metro reported last Monday that a cement truck crushed a minor to death while causing injuries to three others along the Ilaro–Ibese Expressway in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Similarly, PUNCH Metro reported on October 4 that five people lost their lives after a truck crushed a tricycle at the Alapoka axis of the Papalanto–Ilaro Road, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
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