A Lagos Mobile Court sitting in Oshodi on Tuesday, April 8, sentenced two persons to three months imprisonment each for their involvement in a mob attack on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
The incident, which occurred on Monday, April 7, near the LASTMA Central District (Zone 9) office in Victoria Island, was described as an unprovoked and coordinated assault by a group of commercial transport operators.
According to LASTMA authorities, the chaos began when officials apprehended a white commercial minibus with registration number SMK 742 YJ for traffic obstruction around McWellen Bridge, inward Flag House.
In response, the driver allegedly called for reinforcements, prompting the arrival of two additional minibuses (one identified as GGE 995 YF) filled with irate commercial drivers who launched a brazen attack on the enforcement officers.
Swift intervention by security operatives led to the immediate arrest of two suspects at the scene. The pair were arraigned before the Mobile Court the following day and handed custodial sentences without an option of fine.
Speaking on the court’s decision, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, lauded the verdict, describing it as a “timely and necessary deterrent” to others who might consider similar acts of lawlessness.
“We will not tolerate any form of aggression against our personnel. Our officials are carrying out their lawful duties, and attacks on them are attacks on the rule of law and public safety,” Bakare-Oki stated.
The statement, signed by Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, condemned the assault in the strongest terms and reassured the public of the agency’s continued efforts to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic across the state.