Police arrest LAMATA driver over hit and run death of 19-year-old at Ikeja bus stop

The Airport Police Command has arrested a Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) bus driver, Adewale Abiodun, in connection with a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a 19 year old female pedestrian at Ikeja Bus Stop in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Airport Command, Mohammed Adeola, said the incident occurred last Friday shortly after the victim alighted from a bus and was heading towards the airport when she was struck by an Ashok Leyland LAMATA bus with registration number MUS 139 YL.

According to the police, the driver fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving passers-by to attempt rescue efforts that ultimately failed, as the victim was rushed to the Air Force Base Hospital, Ikeja, where she was confirmed brought in dead (BID).

Adeola said officers from the Airport Police Command proceeded to the hospital after receiving the report, where medical personnel confirmed that the teenager died on arrival due to severe injuries sustained from the collision.

Following confirmation of her death, the command launched a coordinated investigation and manhunt for the fleeing driver, raising renewed concerns about accountability among public transport operators.

As part of the investigation, the police engaged LAMATA to assist in tracking the suspect, a collaboration that led to his identification and arrest. “As a result of this collaboration, the driver was identified, located, and subsequently brought to the Domestic Police Division, Airport Command, by officials of LAMATA,” the statement said.

“The suspect, identified as Mr Adewale Abiodun, has since been taken into police custody and has made a statement in respect of the incident, as investigations continue,” Adeola added.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Dr Olufunke Ogunbode, described the incident as a “grave and unfortunate loss of life,” assuring that justice would be served and warning that negligence and reckless driving would not be condoned, stressing that offenders would face “the full weight of the law,” while confirming that the suspect will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigations.