The family of 19-year-old Elizabeth Fresh, from Burutu Local Government Area in Delta State, has called on Lagos authorities to urgently apprehend a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver suspected of fatally striking their daughter at the Airport Road junction before fleeing the scene.

The teenager’s body was deposited at the Nigerian Air Force Base Mortuary on Monday, sparking grief and outrage among relatives and bystanders.

Corporal Timi Preye Fresh, Elizabeth’s father, recounted the anguish of receiving conflicting reports about the incident on the morning it occurred:

“This morning I received one call asking me to come to the Nigerian Air Force Hospital by 11 a.m., then another to the Airport Road junction. When I got to the hospital, I found my daughter’s body in the ambulance — dead.”

Eyewitnesses reported that Elizabeth was crossing the busy road when the BRT bus allegedly struck her at high speed, dragging her body while the driver failed to stop. Residents noted that the road is particularly dangerous, with many pedestrians avoiding the bridge due to security concerns.

A woman who employed Elizabeth in her small restaurant said the teenager had gone out to buy groceries when the incident occurred. She added that the driver removed the SIM card from Elizabeth’s phone, preventing contact.

Bystanders and local business owners condemned the driver’s alleged actions, noting that similar incidents have occurred in the past and that enforcement officials often escort drivers instead of making arrests.

Lagos commuters have increasingly raised concerns about reckless driving by some BRT operators, urging authorities to improve regulation and safety measures along busy routes.

Efforts to reach Lagos Bus Services/LAMATA for comment were unsuccessful. However, Air Vice-Marshal Abubakar Suleh, Air Officer Commanding Logistic Command, directed the Air Provost Department to investigate the crash, citing the family’s military connections.

Elizabeth’s family and the Nigerian Air Force community are demanding swift action to bring the driver to justice and improved road safety measures along BRT corridors.