A Lagos Mobile Court at Oshodi has sentenced two men to three months each in jail for being involved in a mob attack on Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials.
The attack took place on Monday, April 7, off the agency’s Central District office (Zone 9) on Victoria Island.
LASTMA stated that the attack was an unprovoked and planned attack by a mob of commercial bus drivers.
It began when LASTMA officials impounded a white commercial minibus (registration number SMK 742 YJ) for obstructing traffic along McWellen Bridge, inbound Flag House.
The minibus driver allegedly called for reinforcement, leading to two other buses, one being identified as GGE 995 YF, full of angry drivers attacking traffic officials in an organized way.
Security officers closed in quickly, arresting two of the assailants at the scene.
The suspects were arraigned on Tuesday, April 8, and given a three-month prison sentence by the Mobile Court—no fine option.
LASTMA General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki embraced the speedy court decision as “a timely and necessary deterrent” against further assault on traffic enforcement officers.
“Our officers are just carrying out their duties. Any attack on them is an attack on law and order,” he added.
LASTMA, in a statement signed by Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, vehemently condemned the attacks and assured Lagosians that the agency continued to be dedicated to ensuring safety and traffic movement throughout the state.
