Lagos Director Killed Days Before Retirement

News Update

A Director with the Lagos State Government, Serifat Talabi, has died after being hit by a hit-and-run driver just four days before her scheduled retirement and 60th birthday celebration.

The incident occurred on Saturday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway near the Redemption Camp in Ogun State.

It was gathered on Tuesday that Talabi was the Director of Procurement at the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency, LASSRA.

A source in the state civil service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the deceased was attempting to cross the expressway when the speeding driver hit her.

“She was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver while trying to cross the expressway around the Redemption Camp. Efforts were made to take her to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead,” the source said.

Another official of the agency revealed that Talabi was initially due to retire on Monday, October 13, 2025, but her retirement party was postponed to Wednesday, October 22, to accommodate the attendance of the General Manager.

“She had already printed invitation cards and sent them to her colleagues, relatives, and friends for the event, which was meant to coincide with her 60th birthday celebration,” the source added.

An invitation card sighted indicated that the event was scheduled to hold at the NERDC Conference Centre, NERDC Road, Ikeja, adjacent to the Fela Shrine.

According to reports, the family has announced her burial arrangements. Information obtained from a WhatsApp group revealed that the wake would be held on Thursday, October 23, while the burial service would follow on Friday, October 24, both at 10 Ore-Ofe Street, Ara Hall Bus Stop, Ibafo, Ogun State.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for LASSRA, Mrs Basirat Lawal, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to her line were not returned at the time of filing this report.

Similar attempts to contact the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, also proved abortive as she did not respond to calls or messages.

Talabi’s death adds to the growing number of hit-and-run incidents along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and other major highways connecting Lagos and Ogun states.