By Seyi Babalola
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has debunked any links to, or responsibility for the death of a man (whose identity is yet to be determined) found to have committed suicide by hanging on a tree beside the gate if an estate along Lagos-Sagamu Expressway, Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Affairs of the agency, Taofeek Adebayo, the LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, debunked the rumours in strong terms saying his officers and men never contravened any offending motorcyclist/tricyclist and never impounded any tricycle yesterday.
Bakare Oki however confirmed that the body was discovered early hour of Thursday, by passersby and the development 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 the morning and stage-managed to give the semblance of suicide, because the victim’s leg was touching the 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 sympathising with 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).