LASG warns LG officials against illegal arrest of motorists
By Innocent Raphael
Lagos State government has issued a stern warning to local government officials engaging in arbitrary arrest and enforcement of traffic laws.
The state government gave the warning through the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluseun Osiyemi.
Sppesking with journalists in Alausa-Ikeja, Osiyemi clarified that only officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have the legal mandate to impound vehicles and arrest traffic violators.
Responding to questions regarding arbitrary arrests and fines imposed by local government officers, Osiyemi emphasized that residents should not fall victim to extortion by individuals posing as Ministry of Transportation staff.
He urged citizens to report any such incidents, reiterating that LASTMA remains the sole agency authorized to apprehend traffic offenders.
Highlighting recent enforcement efforts, Osiyemi revealed that over 5,000 commercial motorcycles (Okadas) had been impounded by the task force in the past two months.
He also dismissed claims of bias against private vehicles, stating that commercial vehicle owners violating traffic regulations are also subject to enforcement measures.
Addressing the persistent issue of gridlock in Apapa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, acknowledged the area’s significance to Lagos’s commercial activities, pledging ongoing initiatives to alleviate congestion.
Giwa underscored the importance of registering commercial buses with the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) before operating on Lagos roads.
Furthermore, discussions at the briefing clarified the roles of officers from the Central Business District (CBD) and LASTMA, emphasizing their collaborative efforts in enforcing traffic rules within key business areas of the metropolis.
Regarding penalties for driving against traffic flow, Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, emphasized legal consequences, including compulsory psychiatric evaluation and potential prosecution. Lastma’s General Manager, Olalekan Oki, was present alongside other stakeholders to address pertinent concerns.
