A commercial bus driver has died after setting himself ablaze due to the impounding of his bus which he got on hire purchase in Lagos.
In the incident that occurred on Tuesday, officials of the task force from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation reportedly visited Airport Road area connecting Ajao Estate for an enforcement exercise.
It was learnt that in the course of the exercise, some commercial buses used for shuttle on the axis were impounded.
The victim, whose vehicle was among those seized, joined a protest to demand the release of his bus.
The yet-to-be-identified driver reportedly poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire after the protest failed to result in the release of the vehicle.
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A resident identified simply as Aliu said, “Task force operatives went to clean up the Airport shuttle area. During the exercise, they impounded some buses and had a face-off with some of the drivers. At a point, one of the frustrated drivers poured petrol on himself and set himself ablaze.”
Another resident identified as Kudirat blamed the man’s action on frustration, saying he got the vehicle on hire purchase.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu said the state command has launched an investigation.
He denied any involvement of police in the matter.
“The information we got was that there was resistance when task force from the ministry of transportation went for enforcement. No policeman set any vehicle ablaze; policemen attached to the Ajao Estate Police Division were not involved in what happened. However, the Commissioner of Police has ordered investigation into the incident,” the police spokesman said.
Spokesman for the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, Raheem Gbadeyinka, also denied the agency’s involvement.