By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have arrested a commercial bus conductor for allegedly stabbing one of its officers during a routine traffic enforcement operation at Ile-Epo Market, inward Abule-Egba, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The incident occurred on Monday when a LASTMA patrol team apprehended a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LSR 989 XG for allegedly causing traffic obstruction along the busy Ile-Epo Market corridor.
According to LASTMA, the driver of the vehicle resisted the enforcement exercise, while the conductor, identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, allegedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the traffic officers, inflicting a stab wound during the confrontation.
The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency treatment. LASTMA said he is responding positively to treatment.
Following the incident, the matter was reported at the Abattoir Police Division, where the suspect was taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
During preliminary police interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted bringing out the screwdriver and confessed that he mistakenly stabbed the LASTMA officer during the altercation.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable.
He expressed concern over what he described as the growing hostility and aggression against traffic management personnel while carrying out their lawful duties.
Bakare-Oki warned that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate any form of assault, intimidation or harassment of LASTMA officers.
“Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law.
“Our officers are deployed across the state to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods and services, while ensuring compliance with traffic regulations. Any act of violence against them is an affront to public order and the rule of law and will not go unpunished,” he said.
The LASTMA boss also urged motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to comply with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, stressing that cooperation with traffic management authorities is essential to achieving a safer and more efficient transport system.
He further appealed to transport unions, commercial vehicle operators and road users to continue sensitising their members on the need to respect law enforcement and traffic management officials.
