LASTMA denies involvement in death of man found in Ikorodu

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has refuted any involvement in the death of a man discovered hanging by the gate of an estate along the Lagos-Shagamu Expressway in Ikorodu, Lagos.

According to a statement from Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA’s General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki clarified that the body was found early on Thursday, July 11, by passersby who promptly alerted the Shagamu Road police.

The statement categorically dismissed social media rumors claiming that the deceased’s vehicle had been impounded by LASTMA officers.

The responsibility for evacuating the deceased’s body fell under the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit in Yaba, Lagos.

The statement reads, “Mr. Bakare Oki confirmed that the body was discovered early hours of yesterday (Thursday, 11th of July, 2004) by passersby and was immediately reported to the police at Shagamu Road.

“Several speculations were made by sympathisers present at the scene. Some said he was dressed like a motorcyclist (Okada rider), while some speculated he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider).

“Some even believed he was brought to the scene by his killers during the wee hours of midnight,and stage managed it to give it the semblance of suicide,because the victim’s leg was touching ground.

“For brevity,no one could really identify him as either an Okada or Marwa rider from amongst several operators of Okada and Marwa who visited the scene.

“It is unfortunate that the incident occurred by an Estate gate along Lagos – Shagamu Expressway” said Mr. Bakare Oki.

“While expressing sympathy to the deceased’s family, the General Manager warned those spreading unfounded reports to verify information before disseminating it.

“He urged the public, especially motorists, to seek clarification on any traffic information through the Agency’s newly commissioned toll-free call center (080000527862).

“Meanwhile, the body of the deceased was evacuated by State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU), Yaba, Lagos.”