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 in Lagos on Monday.
The incident occurred after a LASTMA patrol team impounded a Volkswagen commercial bus, popularly called Danfo, with registration number LSR 989 XG for allegedly causing a major traffic obstruction at the busy Ile-Epo Market corridor.
According to the agency, the driver resisted the enforcement exercise, while the conductor, later identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, allegedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the officers during the ensuing confrontation.
The officer sustained a stab wound and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. LASTMA said the victim received prompt medical attention and is responding positively.
The incident was subsequently reported at the Abattoir Police Division, where the suspect was taken into custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to LASTMA, the suspect admitted during preliminary police interrogation that he brought out the screwdriver during the altercation and mistakenly stabbed the officer.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the attack, describing it as another disturbing example of the growing hostility faced by traffic management personnel while carrying out their lawful duties.
He warned that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate assaults, intimidation or harassment of officers responsible for maintaining order on the state’s roads.
“Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law,” Bakare-Oki said.
“Our officers are deployed across the state to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods and services, while ensuring compliance with extant traffic regulations. Any act of violence against them constitutes an affront to public order and the rule of law and will not go unpunished.”
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 adherence to traffic regulations is essential to achieving a safer, more efficient and orderly transportation system.
He further appealed to transport unions and commercial vehicle operators to sensitise their members on the need to respect traffic management and other law enforcement officials while carrying out their responsibilities.
