FEAR As Angry Driver BURNT LASTMA Officer In Lagos- See What Happened
On November 5, 2024, a tragic and shocking incident unfolded in Lagos involving the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). A commercial bus driver and his conductor violently attacked a LASTMA officer during an enforcement operation. The confrontation escalated to a horrifying level, resulting in the officer being set ablaze.
According to a statement by Taofiq Adebayo, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, the incident occurred in the Cele inward Mile 2 area. A LASTMA officer had intercepted a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus with the license plate LSD 355 CK for violating traffic regulations. The driver, resisting arrest, resorted to extreme violence in a bid to evade the authorities.
In an alarming sequence of events, the driver and his conductor poured petrol on the LASTMA officer and ignited it. This brutal attack left the officer with severe burns. The officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital to receive urgent medical treatment. The precise condition of the officer remains unknown, but the injuries were described as severe.
Adebayo expressed deep concern over the violent resistance faced by LASTMA officials, emphasizing that such hostility undermines the agency’ s mission to ensure traffic order and safety on Lagos roads. He reiterated LASTMA’ s commitment to upholding the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which mandates the regulation of traffic and safety measures.
In response to the incident, Adebayo urged all commercial drivers and other road users to strictly adhere to traffic regulations and to respect the authority of LASTMA personnel. He warned that the agency would not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation against its officers. ” LASTMA will take decisive action against those who engage in such heinous acts, ” he affirmed.
This incident highlights the increasing risks and challenges faced by traffic management officers in the line of duty. It also underscores the need for public cooperation and adherence to traffic laws to prevent such dangerous confrontations. Authorities are likely to investigate further to bring those responsible to justice and to prevent future occurrences of such violence.
