Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday dismissed the viral video showing officials of the agency driving against the traffic as an old recording.
LASTMA General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba, said on Twitter that the incident occurred in 2020 around Iyana Oworo, Lagos, and the vehicle was one of the casualties of the #ENDSARS protests that rocked the country in that year.
Besides, he said, all the officials found culpable in the matter had been sanctioned.
Adebayo said: “The attention of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been drawn to a viral video on Twitter (@OmoGbajaBiamila) where our officers who drove against traffic (one-way) with an operational vehicle, RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga, was blocked by a private vehicle on Oworonsoki Bridge, Lagos.
“The agency hereby states categorically that the video incident occurred in Year 2020 before the #ENDSARS protest around Iyana-Oworo. All officers involved have been appropriately sanctioned by the authority.
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“The patrol van with number plate RTM 08 LA, Zone 25 Bariga, seen in the viral video was among LASTMA operational vehicles burnt alongside our office building by #EndSARS protesters at Iyana-Oworo, Lagos.
“The agency, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the video that was deployed to embarrass our team of hardworking officers.
“LASTMA will continue effective monitoring and control of traffic across the state, just as it will not condone indiscipline among any of its personnel.”
A Lagos resident Adedapo had posted on his Twitter handle on Friday night the viral video, which he said he had just recorded.
He said: “Them dey follow one-way dey come, see my car, see where we dey come from, third mainland, no man’s road. I stop them, them dey tell me say make I pass here, look at them, look at their faces. I am not leaving this place for them, look at me. I am not leaving this place for these fuckers today, bastard, oga reverse this car, na God go punish you today, you are an idiot…”
The tweet sparked an outrage especially from Lagos residents, many of whom lashed out at LASTMA and the State Government in a week the state auctioned vehicles seized from their drivers and owners for driving against the direction of traffic.
The Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, had said earlier yesterday that LASTMA had commenced investigation on the viral video.
“I have contacted LASTMA authorities and the head of the Police unit with LASTMA,” Hundeyin said.
He added: “I can confirm that internal investigation has begun. This will not be swept under the carpet. We appreciate citizen reportage.
“I just got confirmation that the entire team has been identified and summoned to @followlastma headquarters. Updates will follow.”
Hundeyin, in his first reaction on Twitter to the video had said: “Citizen arrest + invective = good job; Police arrest + invective = harassment, unprofessionalism. Double standards, I guess. While we commence investigation into this, please call out @followlastma.”