Policeman crushes riders on Third Mainland Bridge

Two riders on a motorcycle with number plate, KJA405QO, were crushed to death by a vehicle driven by a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene, learnt that the deceased riders were riding against the traffic inwards Lagos Island when they were crushed to death.

A traffic official, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the deceased riders rode along with others in a convoy.

He said, “I was at Oworonshoki when I saw about four motorcycles driving against traffic inwards Lagos Island.

“They drove against the traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge for reasons still unknown.

“When they got to the bridge, one of the motorcycles, which had two persons, was knocked down by a wine-coloured Toyota Picnic with number plate, BDG60CL.

“The two guys on the bike died on the spot, while their colleagues fled.”


The policeman who also sustained minor injuries said he tried to avoid the men riding against the traffic, but the riders were on top speed.

The incident expectedly caused a traffic snarl from the bridge to Adeniji-Adele bus stop as motorists slowed down to take pictures of the corpses.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad and the Adekunle division were seen controlling the traffic.

Upon searching the victims, a pair of scissors and a national identity card were found on one of the victims, whose hand had been severed from the body.

A policeman, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, wondered why the victims rode against the traffic when both sides of the road were relatively free.

He said, “I really do not understand why four motorcyclists would be moving in a convoy and riding against the traffic when the legitimate side of the road is free. Even their motorcycles did not meet the Lagos State standard.

“Why did their colleagues flee after the accident? We will find out more after our investigation.”

LASTMA spokesperson, Mrs. Bola Ajao, said she would call our correspondent back, but had yet to do so as of press time.

The Lagos State Police spokesman, Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The information at our disposal is that the two men were on a motorcycle and were driving against traffic when they rammed into an incoming vehicle. The two of them died on the spot. One of them has already been identified.

“Their corpses have been deposited at a morgue.”