By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Miss Elizabeth Fresh, who was fatally knocked down by a bus operated by one of the Bus Operating Companies (BOCs) under the Authority’s regulation.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday, January 9, 2026, around Airport Junction in Ikeja. While initial reports suggested that the accident happened on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane without clarity on the type of vehicle involved, eyewitness accounts later confirmed that the deceased was struck by a high-capacity bus operated by the Red and White Bus Operating Company. The driver reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident.
LAMATA said it promptly reached out to the family of the deceased to convey its condolences and assured them of its commitment to ensuring accountability. The family demanded that the driver be apprehended and prosecuted, a request the Authority said it took seriously by engaging the concerned operator to identify and produce the driver.
Following a formal directive from LAMATA, the Bus Operating Company presented the driver on Monday, January 12, 2026. The driver was subsequently handed over to the Police at the domestic wing police station of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on the same day, in the presence of the company’s manager.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety and accountability, LAMATA described the loss of any life as deeply regrettable and called on all road users to exercise caution. The Authority noted that the Lagos State Government has invested in transport infrastructure to promote safe commuting, but stressed the need for citizens to make full use of these facilities.
LAMATA again urged pedestrians to use designated pedestrian bridges when crossing BRT corridors, emphasising that adherence to safety guidelines remains critical to preventing avoidable tragedies.
