The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has strongly condemned a violent assault on one of its officers by a Volkswagen commercial bus conductor during a routine traffic enforcement operation at Ile-Epo Market, inward Abule-Egba, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The incident occurred when a LASTMA patrol team, carrying out its statutory duty of ensuring free vehicular movement and order on Lagos roads, apprehended a Volkswagen commercial bus (LSR 989 XG) for causing severe traffic obstruction at the busy Ile-Epo Market corridor.
The driver of the vehicle resisted lawful enforcement procedures. In a shocking escalation, the conductor, identified as Mr Lekan Olasunkanmi, armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked a LASTMA officer, inflicting a stab wound during the altercation.
The injured officer was immediately taken to a nearby medical facility, where he received urgent treatment and is currently responding positively.
The matter was reported at the Abattoir Police Division, and the suspect was arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation and possible prosecution. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly admitted to bringing out the screwdriver and said he mistakenly stabbed the officer during the confrontation.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep concern over the rising trend of hostility toward traffic management personnel discharging their lawful duties. He stated that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate any assault, intimidation, harassment, or attack against officers responsible for maintaining order on public roads.
“Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law,” he said. “Our officers are deployed across the state to facilitate seamless movement of people, goods, and services, and to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations. Any act of violence against them constitutes an affront to public order and the rule of law and will not go unpunished.”
Bakare-Oki urged motorists, commercial transport operators, and other road users to comply with traffic regulations under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, emphasising that cooperation with traffic authorities is crucial to a safer and more orderly transportation system.
He also appealed to transport unions and commercial vehicle operators to sensitise their members on the importance of respecting law enforcement and traffic officials.
