Residents in Lagos State have sounded an alarm as road accidents linked to youths returning from nightclubs have become an increasing concern, resulting in loss of lives and property damage.
In a recent incident along Liasu Road in Idimu, a Lexus car, speeding around 5 am, lost control and crashed into a shop near a Catholic church, leaving four adult males with severe injuries, as gathered by Quest Times.
This is not an isolated case, as another collision occurred at the Idimu bus stop, when a silver Toyota Camry rammed into a shop in the early hours of Sunday.
Some residents who spoke with newsmen, attributed the accidents to reckless driving, while others connected them to the heavy alcohol consumption by young drivers.
One Isheri Olofin resident, Olumuyiwa Samson, expressed concern about the recurring accidents, stating, “There is hardly any morning, especially between Fridays and Mondays, without witnessing a road accident in this area. The vehicles involved often hint at the drivers returning from nightclubs, driving sophisticated cars commonly associated with ‘yahoo boys.”
It was further learned that the aftermath of these accidents extends beyond injuries, with people losing their livelihoods due to damaged property.
Bankole Alimi, another resident, emphasized the need for legal consequences, noting that the situation may persist unless the perpetrators face the full force of the law.
“We are still having this discussion because those responsible for this act often go unpunished. Although some of the drivers lost their lives in the accidents, the ones who escape always find their way out of being punished for their actions. A particular driver who crashed into a property that got people injured, escaped and invited a military officer who came to intervene on his behalf. Some go as far as bribing the police to avoid being prosecuted,” he said.
Also, a Community Development Area chairman, requesting anonymity, highlighted the broader impact on government properties, including damaged streetlights.
He revealed, “These clubgoers not only contribute to the deterioration of streetlights, but also evade responsibility by quickly removing their crashed vehicles before daylight, some without even possessing a valid driving license.”
Efforts to reach the state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, for comment on this concerning trend were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
The community has therefore remained on edge, urging authorities to address the root causes and enforce necessary measures to curb these deadly incidents.