The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has threatened to prosecute bus drivers and motorists who attack men of the agency in the line of duty.
The LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba, stated this while reacting to a video clip showing a driver, who stripped naked to fight an official of the agency.
Oreagba, in a statement on Tuesday, said the incident happened on Friday, October 15, 2021, around 11.44am at Jakande First Gate on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
He said the bus driver was caught dropping off and picking passengers on the road in contravention of the Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018 (as amended).
“The driver was asked to leave the spot, but was defiant and refused the entreaties of the officer deployed to correct him.
“The positioning of the vehicle was in such a way that it created avoidable traffic congestion. The driver’s resistance made the officer resolve to impound the vehicle by removing the ignition key.
“Knowing commercial vehicle drivers’ antecedents in Lagos, with the removal of the key from the ignition after refusing all entreaties, the driver went berserk, removed his clothes to whip up public sentiment and court pity from the public. He descended heavily on the LASTMA official and dragged the officer with his uniform, thereby assaulting and disrespecting constituted authority,” Oreagba added.
The GM stated that the driver called people within the vicinity, who joined in the attack on the LASTMA officer, adding that they overpowered other officials present and succeeded in escaping with the vehicle.
He said the incident was reported at the Ilasan Police Station, adding that both the police and LASTMA were on the lookout for the suspects.
