Violence against LASTMA officials will be punished, says Sanwo-Olu

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has vowed that anyone who assaults officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be prosecuted and may face jail time.

The governor made the statement on Tuesday during the flag-off of the Second Lagos Traffic Conference, marking LASTMA’s 25th anniversary.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, condemned the frequent attacks on traffic officers, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

He described the trend as unacceptable and warned that the state government would enforce strict legal action against offenders.

“We will not condone any form of violence against our traffic officials. Attacking LASTMA personnel is a criminal offence and will be treated as such,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor also paid tribute to several LASTMA officers who lost their lives while on duty, either through mob violence or hit-and-run incidents, describing their deaths as a painful reminder of the need for better protection and public cooperation.

The conference, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, was themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations.”

It brought together stakeholders to discuss traffic management strategies and explore innovative solutions for improving road safety and efficiency in Lagos.