Barely two days into the new year, a hit-and-run driver ended the life of a pedestrian on Saturday, just after the Mobil filling station towards Otedola Bridge outward Lagos.

The Lagos territorial coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday.

Mr Farinloye said the victim was also mangled by high-speeding vehicles, and the body could not be identified.

He said the Lagos State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) had been alerted to help evacuate the mangled body from the highway to prevent further crushing by moving vehicles.

Mr Farinloye urged Nigerians to exercise utmost safety consciousness during the festive period.

He said the appeal became necessary due to deaths observed in the usual patrols along the major highways during the festive period.

“Just yesterday evening, an articulated truck, which had brake failure, hit a woman at Dalemo bus stop, Ado Odo/Ota LGA, Ogun State, and she died on the spot.

“All efforts to reach out to her family members have been futile due to a lack of means of identity that could have helped to trace her relations.

“Therefore, NEMA is urging residents around this area who have not been able to trace their missing relative to contact FRSC Officer Akowe of the Ota Unit with telephone numbers 08109257844, 08059090151,” Mr Farinloye said.

He said NEMA had been patrolling major highways during the festive periods to assist lead agencies in road safety efforts and provide prompt, effective, and efficient responses to any emergency when needed.

Mr Farinloye advised commuters to caution their drivers with respect and dignity when they are observed to be exhausted or dozing off on the steering.

He said the attention of safety officers at the closest point must be drawn to the problem, which would make the driver take a rest before continuing his journey.

(NAN)