The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BRT lane

  • LASTMA refutes viral video claiming approval of BRT lane use at Idi-Iroko

    LASTMA refutes viral video claiming approval of BRT lane use at Idi-Iroko

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has strongly denied allegations circulating in a viral video suggesting that motorists were permitted to drive on the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor from Ojota through Idi-Iroko, inward Anthony, Lagos.

    The video, shared on Facebook by a group identified as Lagos Reporters, featured a voice claiming that motorists had been instructed to ply the restricted BRT lane, while accusing LASTMA operatives of unjustly apprehending offenders along the route.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, LASTMA described the claim as “mendacious, fabricated, and devoid of merit.”

    According to the Authority, the Lagos State Government had only granted temporary approval for motorists to use the BRT corridor at Odo-Iya Alaro and Eko Bridge as part of measures to ease congestion caused by the ongoing expansion joint repairs at the Ifako-Ogudu Bridge, inbound Lagos.

    “No dispensation whatsoever has been granted for motorists to exploit the BRT corridor at Idi-Iroko inward Anthony, or indeed at any other segment of the Ikorodu Road axis beyond the expressly designated relief points,” the statement read.

    LASTMA further revealed that an internal inquiry confirmed no officer of the Authority issued directives authorizing motorists to encroach on the corridor from Ojota. 

    Read Also: LASTMA boss commends motorists, residents over traffic diversions at Ogudu–Ifako Bridge

    The agency also released visual evidence indicating that traffic was free-flowing on the main carriageway at Idi-Iroko at the time of the alleged incident, contradicting the viral claim.

    Reaffirming its mandate, the traffic management body warned motorists against spreading false information and reminded them that violators who illegally encroach on BRT lanes would face full legal sanctions.

    “The BRT corridors are integral to the efficient functioning of mass transit within the state, and their sanctity will be preserved,” the agency stressed.

    LASTMA also assured that rehabilitation work at the Ifako-Ogudu Bridge is being expedited and that temporary traffic relief measures would be lifted once the project is completed.

    The agency urged the public to rely only on verified sources for traffic information, directing inquiries to its toll-free hotline (080000527862), while cautioning against reliance on unverified social media narratives.

  • Soldier ‘abducts’ LASTMA officer after passing BRT Lane

    An Army officer, Isiya Usman, dressed in mufti and three others yesterday allegedly abducted an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Afeez Badru, who stopped him from passing the BRT Lane.

    The incident allegedly occurred in Maryland, Lagos.

    Badru was allegedly taken Marda Barracks, opposite St. Dominic Church, Yaba and detained for seven hours.

    He was allegedly forced to write an undertaking that he vandalised the soldier’s bus and was responsible for the loss of his (Usman’s) phone, which he bought for N120,000 in Mali.

    After written the undertaking, Badru was freed to the LASTMA men who came for his release.

    An eyewitness said Badru and other LASTMA patrol team stopped Usman, who drove in Toyota Hiace bus marked KMC 648GE on BRT Lane.

    He said: “As Badru tried to snap the bus, the man (Usman) came out with a dagger and started stabbing him (Badru). Three others in the bus came out to drag Badru into the bus. Their actions infuriated passersby, motorists and Okada riders. The motorcyclists smashed the bus’ back windscreen.

    “The bus zoomed off. Motorcyclists chased it and blocked the road at Anthony bus stop. They tried to break the front windscreen before the soldier drove past them.”

    A LASTMA official (name withheld) said Badru was beaten up in the bus.

    “Badru’s phone got spoil in the process of dragging him into the bus. The three men in the bus used a big iron to hit Badru’s head while taking him away. He was also beaten up at the barracks,” he said.

    The Nation learnt that the soldiers threatened to deal with some LASTMA senior officials that went to the barracks to rescue Badru.

    Read also: 18 LASTMA officials killed, 24 injured in one year, says Ambode

    “He was not released until he was forced to write an undertaking. The soldier said he bought his lost phone in Mali where he went for peace keeping assignment,” the LASMA official further said.

    LASTMA Chief Public Affairs Officer Kole Adu decried the attitude of attacking LASTMA officials on duty.

    He said: “The public, especially force men, should stop harassing our men. They should stop flouting traffic rules. The bus is even untainted. The attack is getting too many. We are out to ease traffic and serve the people, be it uniformed men and civilians. It is getting too many for God’s sake. They should allow our men to do their job. Our official, Rotimi Adeyemo, was killed by a uniformed officer last month. This month will be two years another official, Bakare Olatunji, was killed. This is getting out of hand.”

    Army spokesman Lt. Col Sandu said the matter will be investigated and appropriate sanction will be meted out to the officer if found guilty.

  • Soldier abducts LASTMA officer after passing BRT Lane

    An Army officer Isiya Usman dressed in mufti and three others on Tuesday abducted an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Afeez Badru, who stopped him from passing the BRT Lane.

    The incident occurred in Maryland.

    Badru was taken Marda Barracks opposite St. Dominic Church, Yaba and detained for seven hours.

    He was allegedly forced to write an undertaking that he vandalised the soldier’s bus and responsible for the loss of his (Usman’s) phone, which he bought for N120,000 in Mali.

    After written the undertaking, Badru was freed to the LASTMA men that came for his release.

    According to an eyewitness, Badru and other LASTMA patrol team stopped Usman, who drove in Toyota Hiace Bus marked KMC 648GE on BRT Lane.

    He said: “As Badru tried to snap the bus, the man (Usman) came out with a dagger and started stabbing Badru. Three others in the bus came out to drag Badru into the bus. Their actions infuriated passersby, motorists and Okada riders. The motorcyclists smashed the bus back windscreen.

    “The bus zoomed off. The motorcyclists chased the bus and blocked the road at Anthony Bus Stop. They also try to break the front windscreen before the soldier drove past them.”

    According to a LASTMA official (name withheld), Badru was beaten in the bus.

    “Badru’s phone got spoil in the process of dragging him into the bus. The three men in the bus smashed a big iron on Badru’s head while taking him away. He was also beaten at the barracks,” he said.

    The Nation learnt that the soldiers threatened to deal with some LASTMA senior officials that went to the barracks to rescue him.

     

    “He was not released until he was forced to write undertaking. The soldier said he bought his lost phone in Mali where he went for Peace Keeping assignment,” he said.

    LASTMA Chief Public Affairs Officer Kole Adu decried the attitude of attacking LASTMA officials on duty.

    Adu said: “The public especially force men should stop harassing our men. They should stop flouting traffic rules. The bus is even untainted. The attack is getting too many. We are out to ease traffic and serve the people. Be it uniformed men and civilians. It is getting too many for God’s sake. They should allow our men to do their job. Our official Rotimi Adeyemo was killed by a uniform officer last month. This month will be two years another official, Bakare Olatunji was killed. This is getting out of hand.”

  • Flood sacks Motorists on Lagos roads

    Flood sacks Motorists on Lagos roads

    Motorists and commuters had a hectic time travelling on major Lagos roads on Monday.

    This follows a torrential rainfall that started at dawn and lasted till mid-day, leaving all major roads flooded on Monday.

    The flood became a major headache on such roads as the Agege Motor road (as the flash flood practically took over three major bus terminals – Ladipo, Shogunle and PWD, on the Ikeja bound axis of the three lane expressway.

    Several vehicles which could not navigate the flood, broke down and were seen been attended to by their owners inside the flood.

    The flood left a major traffic gridlock that snaked from Ladipo to G. Cappa, on the outward bound carriage of the express, as well as from Ladipo to Capitol Road, on the Agege Motor road, and up to Egbeda, on the Iyana-Ipaja end, inward bound Oshodi.

    Many motorists bemoaned the terrible traffic situation that has become a common feature along the Agege Motor road, a federal road axial in the state.

    They recalled a similar occurrence last Thursday, which left the entire axis prostrate for about 20 hours after similar rainfall.

    Solomon Oladele, a commuter said he spent five hours on a 35 minutes distance (Agege to Oshodi).

    Lamenting what he described as a recurrent nightmare, Oladele wondered why the government has remained unconcerned to the plight of Lagosians who make use of the road.

    When reminded that government had awarded a contract for the construction of a BRT lane on the Oshodi road, Oladele said the contractor should show more sympathy to the plights motorists and commuters using the road, by urgently carrying out remedial work on the spot causing gridlock on the road.

    “Let the state government direct the contractor to begin urgent remedial works on the collapsed drainage that was causing the flood in the area, while the continue the major work on the road. That way, they would convince us they do not intend to see us dead before the new road is delivered next year,” Oladele said.

    Similar gridlock was recorded across the state. Many stranded commuters were trekking, when it became apparent they could not get any bus to their destination.

    A middle aged woman backing a baby broke down in tears when speaking with our Correspondent. She said she had trekked from Ikeja to Ladipo and was lost how she could get to Oshodi from where she could pick a bus to FESTAC Town.

    “I am tired, I trekked from Ikeja to this place (Ladipo), and am still going to FESTAC Town, I don’t know how to make it to Oshodi,” she said breaking down in tears shortly before a good Samaritan motorist offered her a ride.

    Many motorists living around border towns with Ogun State told our Correspondents that the rain has added to their travel challenges. They said they may not return to their various homes on Monday as they cannot face another round of stress on the road.

    “I have called my wife and told her I may not return home tonight.” Tunde, told our correspondent on Monday.

    Another motorist said he might have to wait till midnight before going home to prevent stress.

    The state government have however urged motorists and other road users to exercise patience as normalcy would soon return to the roads. Government says the traffic gridlock is the usual pattern along the area, any time there is rainfall.

     

     

     

  • LASTMA arrests 10 military vehicles on BRT lane

    LASTMA arrests 10 military vehicles on BRT lane

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested and cautioned 10 military drivers for using the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane.

    Its General Manager, Mr Bashir Braimah, made this known to reporters during the authority’s “Operation Stand Strong”, which is aimed at sanitising the roads.

    Braimah said the programme was aimed at removing lawless road users and promoting economic activities.

    “Those that have no business to obey our traffic laws should not be on our roads. We don’t want lawlessness on our roads.

    “Whoever has no good intention should rather park his vehicle at home and allow those who have businesses in Lagos to continue with their businesses without any hindrance.

    “Our focus this morning is to enforce law on BRT corridor and we have made a large number of arrest. People you expect to obey the law are the ones disobeying the law.

    “We have let them know that nobody is above the law,’’ Braimah said.

    “There is law in Lagos, there is a government in Lagos and we shall maintain sanity. For today, the most erring people on BRT lane are the military officers.

    “Over 10 vehicles of the military were found on the BRT corridor and we are going to write the army authorities.”

    According to him, LASTMA impounded the vehicles of recalcitrant drivers and booked those that are civil.

    He said: “If Lagosians are saying they cannot be civil with us, we are going to show them the other side of the coin.

    “We are going to sustain this. It is a continuous process until there is sanity on our roads.

    “Violators who thought they escaped will be tracked and arrested because we have photographs bearing their vehicle numbers’’.

    Braimah said the exercise was ongoing in all the 40 zones in the state to bring sanity to the road.

    He added: “There will be no escape route for anybody, this is zero-tolerance for lawlessness on Lagos roads, we are out now and we will not relent in this effort.

    “If drivers disobey traffic laws, they should know that they will be caught, if they are caught they will be embarrassed, they will be tried and then face the penalty’’.

    The LASTMA boss, said road users who are compliant and road-friendly had nothing to fear, noting that the authority had started bringing human face to enforcement.

    He said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode never directed LASTMA not to impound vehicles.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many commercial vehicles were impounded and towed away for picking and dropping passengers at illegal bus stops and for lack of valid documents at Yaba and Oyingbo.