How Tricyclist Dies by Committing Suicide Over Tricycle Seizure in Lagos
By Deji Lambo
A tricycle operator in Lagos State, whose identity remains unknown, has taken his own life after unsuccessful attempts to recover his impounded tricycle from government officials in the Ikorodu area.
Reports indicate that the tricyclist was stopped by officials while on his way to a destination in the state. The officials subsequently seized his tricycle, transporting it to their office near the Jubilee Estate along the Ikorodu-Sagamu Expressway.
Despite persistent efforts, the operator was unable to retrieve his vehicle. Distraught and desperate, he reportedly went to a tree in front of the compound housing the offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and Vehicle Inspection Officers. It was there, close to the Jubilee Estate, that he hanged himself.
An eyewitness, Prince Excel of Aiyekooto Reporters, described the incident in a video posted on WhatsApp, calling it a tragic event. “This is early Thursday morning, July 11, 2024. An unfortunate situation has just occurred. A man committed suicide on the main road at the Jubilee Estate, in front of the LASTMA gate on Sagamu Road. This is quite unfortunate,” he said.
The video shows the man’s body hanging from a tree, a rope tied around his neck. A note accompanying the video suggests the suicide was a result of his frustration over the unrecovered tricycle.
The note read, “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, LASTMA spokesperson Taofiq Adebayo denied any involvement, stating, “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.”
