— Officers injured as miscreant resist enforcement operations in Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain, Onipanu
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has intensified its enforcement operations across major traffic flashpoints in the state, impounding 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic violations during a weekend crackdown at Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.
The exercise was undertaken to restore order, improve traffic flow and enforce compliance with Lagos State traffic regulations, particularly along corridors where persistent violations by motorists and commercial bus operators have continued to endanger road users and obstruct the free movement of traffic.
According to a statement by Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, a major concern identified during the operation was the dangerous practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic from Iddo towards Idumota through Cater Bridge, in contravention of the prescribed direction of traffic.
LASTMA warned that such manoeuvres could catch motorists, commuters and pedestrians approaching the bridge unaware, creating a serious risk of collisions, injuries and possible fatalities.
The enforcement exercise was also met with resistance from some suspected miscreants and hoodlums, who allegedly assaulted LASTMA officers and damaged some of the Agency’s operational vehicles. Some of the individuals involved in the attacks were subsequently apprehended.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the enforcement as a necessary intervention to address persistent traffic violations and curb what he termed a growing culture of disregard for traffic regulations along critical road corridors.
Bakare-Oki reiterated the Agency’s earlier warnings to transport operators, commercial drivers and other road users against using under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations as illegal garages.
According to him, such activities constitute major impediments to effective traffic management while exposing motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other members of the public to avoidable risks.
He stressed that the ongoing enforcement campaign would focus on ensuring compliance with traffic regulations, deterring dangerous driving practices and protecting lives and property across Lagos.
The LASTMA General Manager further warned that no individual or group would be allowed to appropriate public roads, bridges or under-bridge spaces for illegal loading, parking, vehicle repairs or garage operations.
The Agency therefore urged commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to desist from one-way driving, dangerous reversing, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and the occupation of unauthorised garages and under-bridge locations.
LASTMA warned that further violations would attract appropriate enforcement action in accordance with extant Lagos State traffic laws.
Members of the public were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions, reckless motorists and other traffic violations through the LASTMA toll-free short code 3367, to enable the Agency to respond promptly and prevent avoidable incidents on the state’s road network.
