LASTMA Official Arrested For Driving Against Traffic

MICHAEL AKINOLA

There was a mild drama on Tuesday when a politician reportedly arrested an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) for driving against traffic along Oworonshoki expressway.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the action of the politician, which went viral on social media, received accolades from Nigerians as many of them believe that law enforcers should not be law breakers.

The identity of the official was not yet disclosed but the LASTMA authorities have admitted that the arrested officer was their staff and had responded over the incident which surprised many over the conduct.

In a swift reaction however, LASTMA authorities in Lagos noted that the official and his colleagues were on lawful duty when they were nabbed by the politician.
According to Head of LASTMA Public Affairs, Mamud Hassan, “Our preliminary finding revealed that the LASTMA official in question had apprehended a violator of the traffic law and in the process of taking the vehicle to the nearby LASTMA yard he was physically attacked. In a bid to escape further attack and threat to life, he had to act in that manner for safety”.
“We want to assure members of the public that LASTMA will not condone neither celebrate any violator of the state traffic law, irrespective of status and profession in the society.”
“We are professionally guarded by the principle of equality before law. And any officer caught violating traffic law will be punished according to the law and in addition to punishment in the Lagos State Public Service Rule accordingly” Hassan said.

However, many did not accept the explanation by the authorities as stated by Mr. Hassan. Those against the defence put up by LASTMA claimed that it was a ploy to cover the embarrassment brought on the Agency by the official.
LASTMA has reportedly been notorious for their conduct on the roads as such they were seen by Lagosians as one of the most corrupt agencies in the State hence the reservation over the defence of the official by the LASTMA authorities.