August 18, 2023

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has arrested and arraigned eight persons for endangering their lives by crossing the highway at the Ojota area of the State.

The Corps Marshal of the Agency, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd) made this disclosure on Thursday at the Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.

According to her, “While we keep encouraging pedestrians to make appropriate use of strategically-erected pedestrian bridges for safety reasons, it appears that some are bent on risking their lives by crossing the highway which could result in ‘hit and run’ cases by speeding motorists, as such recalcitrant pedestrians must be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others”.

Akinpelu further revealed that a total of eight suspects, namely: Jeff Melu (M) 28, Solomon Opemipo (M) 25, Segun Moses (M) 45, Lazarus Nse (F) 24, Samuel Awoyinka (M) 26, Jimoh Ibrahim (M) 26, Oladoyinbo Seun (M) 26, Eniola Toyin (M) 21 were apprehended and arraigned before a Special Offences Court, Bolade-Oshodi on a one-count charge of conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace by crossing the highways which is in contravention of the Criminal Laws of the State.

She revealed that the defaulters were found guilty and sentenced to several hours of community services and fines, adding that it would serve as deterrents to other recalcitrant pedestrians alike.

Akinpelu also renewed her charge to the Agency’s operatives strategically stationed across the State highways and roads to apprehend pedestrians in the habit of not making use of pedestrian bridges in the State.

The retired Commissioner of Police emphasised the need for pedestrians to make appropriate use of pedestrian bridges, imploring illegal street traders and hawkers to desist from displaying their wares for sale on, beneath or around bridges meant for pedestrians’ safety.