The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended  a driver who allegedly attempted to run away after  causing an accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

Bakare-Oki said that the lone accident involved a black Toyota Tundra with registration number FST 222 HV and occurred at the Mosalasi Roundabout on New Ipaja Road.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle, speeding, veered uncontrollably off the carriageway, mounted the pedestrian walkway, and fatally struck a woman who died instantly from the impact.

“The momentum of the vehicle subsequently propelled it into a nearby private premises known to be engaged in the sale of livestock, where it inflicted significant structural damage to the perimeter fence and an adjoining advertising billboard.

“The driver, upon realising the gravity of the calamity he caused, made a frantic attempt to flee the scene.

“However, thanks to the prompt, coordinated and courageous intervention of officials from LASTMA. The suspect was swiftly apprehended and restrained,” he said.

He added tha LASTMA operatives handed the driver over to security personnel from the Gowon Estate Command, who were present at the scene of the incident.

“The remains of the deceased woman were respectfully relinquished to officers of the Nigeria Police Force for requisite procedures.

“Subsequent developments confirmed that the suspect has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing rigorous interrogation by police authorities as part of an ongoing and thorough investigation into the incident,” he said.

The LASTMA boss expressed sadness  over the loss of life and condoled with the bereaved family.

Bakare-Oki charged motorists  to subject their vehicles to routine safety checks, with particular emphasis on the integrity of braking systems.

He said that adherence to traffic regulations was not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative to safeguard lives and property.

“The Lagos state traffic management authority remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing traffic laws and promoting road safety culture throughout the state,” he said. (NAN)

 Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that security agencies are working around the clock to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the Eid-el-Kabir holidays and beyond.

Wike made the statement in his Eid-el-Kabir message to FCT residents in Abuja on Thursday.

He emphasized that the FCT Administration would continue to maintain close collaboration with security operatives to keep Abuja safe and secure.

“I am proud to say that Abuja remains the safest city in the country, and we are doing everything possible to keep it that way.

“As we gather with family and friends in celebration, let us not forget the less privileged among us.

“Let the spirit of Eid inspire us to share, uplift, and show kindness to those in need.

“As you join millions around the world to celebrate this sacred occasion, we are reminded of the profound values embodied in Eid-el-Kabir, sacrifice, obedience, and unwavering faith, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim,” he said.

The minister urged residents to reflect on the deeper meaning of submission to the will of Allah and to recommit themselves to compassion, generosity, and unity.

According to him, the celebration is not only a spiritual milestone but also a time to renew the collective commitment to peace, tolerance, and mutual respect.

He commended the Muslim community in the FCT for their enduring contributions to the growth and peaceful coexistence within the territory.

“Your values and sense of community are integral to our shared progress,” he added.

The minister also noted that President Bola Tinubu, through his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” had been working tirelessly to ease the burdens faced by the people.

He highlighted the commendable progress made by the FCT Administration in infrastructure development, security enhancement, and social welfare interventions.

“These efforts are all aimed at improving the quality of life for every resident of the FCT.

“We owe the rapid development of the FCT to the unwavering support President Tinubu has given to the FCTA.

“Therefore, I urge you to use this occasion to pray that the Almighty grants Tinubu good health and more guidance to lead the nation to greater heights.

“In the coming days, we will begin commissioning a plethora of completed projects across the territory in celebration of Tinubu’s second year in office.

“These are critical projects aimed at advancing healthcare, education, agriculture, transportation, and more sectors within the FCT.

“They stand as visible proof of our commitment to delivering tangible, impactful change and building a capital city that reflects the hopes and aspirations of all Nigerians,” he said. (NAN)

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to transform the country for the good of all.

Wike made the call in his 2025 Distinguish Personality Lecture, titled, “The Nigeria of our Dreams” delivered  at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, on Thursday

He said that no leader, no matter how endowed, equipped or selfless, could truly succeed without the support and cooperation of the citizenry.

The minister advised Nigerians to wake up from years of cynicism, indifference and hopelessness and embrace a new era being birthed by Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, no nation has made any reasonable progress without the robust cooperation and collaboration of its leadership and followership.

“South Africa for instance, under Mandela, achieved independence and made progress as shown in his book’ Long Walk to Freedom’ through this cooperation.

“Dubai is also recording all these great feats through synergy between its leadership and followership.

“The time for belief is here; the time for action is also here. Together with President Tinubu, we can as a people begin the real process of building the Nigeria of our dreams,” he said

The minister also urged  Nigerians to reject the negative narrative that Nigeria would never change for good, stressing that “with the right leadership, nothing is impossible”.

He said that to reclaim Nigeria’s dream, the people must first reclaim the belief in the possibility that the country would be better and reject the defeatist narratives that nothing would change.

According to him, change does not come from the top alone; it bubbles up from the conviction of a determined people.

“The Nigeria of our dreams is not a utopia; it is a Nigeria that works; it is a Nigeria where merit trumps mediocrity, where justice flows like a river.

“The Nigeria of our dream is also where every child, regardless of ethnic group, religion, tongue, or class, has the opportunity to live with dignity and die with honour.

“It is a nation that listens to the heartbeat of its people and allows the soul of democracy to find expression, not only in periodic elections, but in the daily dignity of citizenship.

“It is a place where leaders are not predators on the public purse, but custodians of the people’s trust; where leadership is purposeful, and followership is responsible,” he said.

The minister added that the “Nigeria of our dream is a nation where institutions are stronger than individuals; where the rule of law is not a slogan, but a sacred covenant”.

Wike  emphasised that reclaiming Nigeria’s dream demands a rekindling of its vision and values, stressing that Nigerians must reimagine the country not as victims of its history, but as architects of its destiny.

He also stressed the need to rebuild trust between government and the governed, among ethnic nationalities and across faiths and generations.

The minister also said that to make meaningful progress, Nigerians must rediscover the dignity of labour, the sanctity of truth and the strength of unity.

“Most of all, we must believe again that our country, however flawed, is not beyond redemption.

“This work belongs to all of us. No one is too small to matter or too big to fail.

“Nigeria’s redemption will not be delivered by heroes on horseback, but by ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things: living with integrity, speaking truth to power, raising children with values, and holding firm to hope even when the night is long.

“The dream is not dead. It merely sleeps, waiting for those bold enough, brave enough, and burdened enough to awaken it,” he said. (NAN)