A commercial driver in Lagos is currently on the run after injuring an officer from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) in the Mile 2 area on Tuesday. LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq confirmed the incident, revealing that the altercation began when the driver was stopped for violating traffic regulations.
According to Taofiq, the driver resisted arrest and, in a shocking attempt to evade capture, poured petrol on both his vehicle and the LASTMA officers surrounding it, ultimately setting the vehicle on fire before fleeing the scene.
Taofiq explained, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority is aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, license plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze to avoid arrest. The vehicle was intercepted for a traffic violation in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.” He added that the driver and his conductor became hostile, pouring petrol on the officers and launching physical attacks.
The injured LASTMA officer sustained severe burns and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Taofiq emphasized that LASTMA will take strong action to ensure the driver and his accomplice face consequences, urging all commercial drivers to respect traffic laws and LASTMA’s authority.
In a similar incident on October 10, soldiers from the Ojo Cantonment reportedly attacked police officers, leading to the tragic death of a policeman, Saka Ganiyu. Ganiyu was stabbed by soldiers after they intervened to stop a soldier driving a T4 Volkswagen commercial bus against traffic at Volks Bus Stop. The soldier, who was off duty and driving an unregistered vehicle, called for backup from colleagues, resulting in a violent confrontation with the police. Ganiyu was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
These recent incidents highlight the ongoing risks faced by traffic enforcement officers and underscore LASTMA’s call for all road users to adhere to Lagos State’s traffic laws, as laid out in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.
