A tragic incident unfolded in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State when a tricyclist took his own life following unsuccessful attempts to recover his seized tricycle ( keke) from government agents. The unidentified man was intercepted by officials who seized his tricycle and transported it to their office near Jubilee Estate along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway. Despite persistent efforts by the tricyclist to retrieve his vehicle, his attempts proved futile, leading to increasing frustration and despair.
According to eyewitnesses, the distraught tricyclist sought to protest the seizure of his tricycle. Early Thursday morning, he hanged himself from a tree in front of the compound housing the offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO). Prince Excel of Aiyekooto Reporters, who captured the incident on video, described it as an unfortunate event, highlighting the desperation that led to such a tragic end.
The video shared by Excel revealed a note left by the tricyclist, explaining that his drastic action was a result of the authorities’ refusal to return his seized tricycle, despite his repeated pleas. However, Taofiq Adebayo, the spokesperson for LASTMA, denied any involvement of their officers in the seizure. Adebayo stated, “We don’t know anything about the incident. LASTMA is not involved in anything of such, and we don’t know anything about the hanging of the dead body.”
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This heartbreaking incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about the treatment of tricyclists and other commercial vehicle operators in the area. The tricyclist, whose identity remains unknown, was reportedly heading to a destination in the state when officials intercepted him for an unspecified offence. Following the interception, the officers seized the tricycle and took it to their office located close to the Jubilee Estate, along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.
Efforts by the tricyclist to retrieve his tricycle from the officials were reportedly unsuccessful, leading to his extreme act of desperation. A video obtained by Punch Metro captured the man’s body hanging from a tree with a rope tied around his neck. The accompanying note reiterated the reason for his suicide, blaming the refusal of the authorities to return his tricycle despite his numerous pleas.
Prince Excel’s report provided additional context to the incident, stating, “A tricyclist, Keke Marwa rider, just committed suicide. He hanged himself in front of LASTMA’s office at Odogunyan in Ikorodu. Reportedly, his Keke was taken from him. He begged them for so long, but they refused. So, the man decided to hang himself in front of their office. So sad.”
When contacted, Taofiq Adebayo maintained that LASTMA had no knowledge of the case and reiterated that no tricycle was seized by their officers in the area. “We don’t know anything about the incident. And within our premises, we don’t have any tricycle impounded by any of our officers in that area. So, LASTMA is not involved in anything of such, and we don’t know anything about the hanging of the dead body,” Adebayo said.
This Recent incident gives us course to worry on the relationship between motorist and law enforcement agencies. we awaidt more details on this case as security agencies have been alerted regarding this incident.
GRAPHICS 🔞: Keke Rider Comm!ts Su!c!de By Hang!ng At LASTMA Office Because His Keke (Tricycle) Was Impo*unded And Taken Away From Him By LASTMA Officers.
It Was Reported That He Begged Several Times In Order To Regain His Tricycle Before Han*ging Himself, This Happened… pic.twitter.com/MZUxjgBXr3
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) July 12, 2024
