A sombre atmosphere enveloped the Igando area of Lagos State on Sunday following a tragic lone-vehicle accident that claimed the life of a female pedestrian heading to church.
The victim, a member of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), was struck and killed by a Mercedes-Benz C-300 driver who subsequently fled the scene.
The accident occurred at the NYSC Bus-Stop, inward Igando. According to officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the woman was walking along the designated pedestrian corridor on her way to a worship service when the vehicle veered off its path and struck her.
The impact was fatal. Upon realising the gravity of the situation, the driver of the Mercedes-Benz abandoned the vehicle and absconded, leaving the victim behind.
In a scene described by witnesses as “profoundly heartrending,” news of the accident reached the MFM Church while the service was already in progress.
The victim’s husband, who was already inside the sanctuary among fellow congregants, was informed of the tragedy. He and other church members rushed to the scene to identify the body and retrieve her remains for funeral rites.
LASTMA personnel arrived promptly to manage the aftermath, cordoning off the area to prevent secondary accidents and ensuring that traffic flow was restored.
“Our officers responded with alacrity to secure the scene and regulate vehicular movement,” said Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs for LASTMA. “The vehicle has since been evacuated in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Igando Division.”
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and the MFM community. He used the occasion to issue a stern warning to Lagos motorists.
The Nigerian Police Force is currently investigating the cause of the crash and searching for the fleeing driver. Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strict traffic discipline, noting that the outcome of the investigation will guide subsequent legal actions. He further urged all motorists to adhere to speed limits and respect pedestrian rights to avoid further preventable loss of life.
The Mercedes-Benz remains in police custody as authorities continue their manhunt for the driver.
