The Lagos Airport Police Command has arrested a driver of a Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) bus linked to a fatal hit-and-run collision that killed a 19-year-old pedestrian at the Airport Bus Stop in Ikeja.
The arrest followed a coordinated manhunt led by police in collaboration with LAMATA officials after the suspect fled the scene. Authorities said the suspect has made a statement and investigations are ongoing.
Hit-and-run incidents involving public transport vehicles have long been a concern in Nigeria’s urban centres, where traffic congestion, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, and lapses in road safety enforcement contribute to road casualties.
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, records many pedestrian fatalities annually amid heavy traffic and complex transit dynamics. Efforts by transport agencies and law enforcement to curb negligent driving have included public awareness campaigns and stricter enforcement of traffic laws, but challenges persist.
According to ASP Mohammed Adeola, the Police Command’s spokesperson, the incident occurred on Friday when the Ashok Leyland LAMATA bus with registration number MUS-139-YL struck the victim shortly after she alighted and was heading toward the airport. Witnesses reported that the bus driver fled the scene immediately after the collision.
Bystanders rushed the injured teenager to the Air Force Base Hospital, where medical personnel later confirmed that she was dead on arrival due to the severity of her injuries.
Upon receiving the report, police operatives launched a coordinated manhunt, working with LAMATA to trace the suspect. Officials successfully located the driver and brought him into custody at the Domestic Police Division. The suspect has since made a statement, and the investigation continues.
The Commissioner of Police at the Airport Command, Mrs. Olufunke Ogunbode, described the loss of the young life as a grave tragedy and stressed that negligence and reckless driving would not be condoned. She urged motorists and pedestrians to obey traffic regulations to prevent avoidable road tragedies.
This case highlights broader road safety concerns in Lagos, where urban population density and high transport activity increase the risk of traffic collisions. For families and communities, the tragic loss of a young life underscores the human cost of negligent driving and weak compliance with road safety protocols.
The arrest may offer some accountability, but long-term road safety improvements will depend on sustained enforcement, driver training, and public awareness.
Transport authorities such as LAMATA and law enforcement agencies may need to reinforce monitoring of public transport drivers and integrate technology-aided solutions like GPS tracking and dash cameras to enhance compliance and incident investigations. Community-based advocacy for safer road behaviour could also amplify preventive measures and reduce similar tragedies.
The arrest of a LAMATA bus driver in connection with a fatal hit-and-run in Ikeja signals a firm law enforcement response to road traffic violations involving public transport.
It underscores the need for continued efforts to improve road safety, strengthen accountability for drivers, and protect vulnerable pedestrians in Nigeria’s urban transport ecosystem.
