The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)

  • Six injured in Lagos bridge accident

    Six injured in Lagos bridge accident

    At least six commuters were injured yesterday following a serious road traffic accident on the Third Mainland Bridge, Adekunle corridor, inward Iyana-Oworonsoki, involving a painted Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number KRD 436 XF.

    According to the statement by  the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA)   spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the loaded bus, was conveying passengers alongside assorted household items, reportedly suffered a sudden mechanical failure of its braking system while in motion.

    The failure caused the driver to lose control, leading to the vehicle capsizing on the busy carriageway.

    The accident left six passengers—two adult males and four adult females—with serious injuries, while one of the victims sustained a critical injury to the eye at the point of impact.

    Officials of the LASTMA, who were on routine monitoring duty in the area, arrived at the scene promptly and coordinated rescue efforts. The injured passengers were rescued from the wreckage.

    According to LASTMA, “Good Samaritans swiftly transported four of the injured passengers to an undisclosed medical facility for urgent treatment. In parallel, Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Adekunle Division, rendered crucial assistance by conveying one male victim who sustained multiple fractures to a hospital for intensive medical care. Additionally, operatives of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) gave medical care to another injured passenger at the scene of the incident.”

     LASTMA officials ensured the swift removal of the accident vehicle from the road.

    The Special Adviser to the governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, expressed sympathy to the injured passengers and their families, and wished them a speedy recovery.

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    He also warned motorists, particularly commercial vehicle operators, against overloading and neglecting routine vehicle maintenance.

    Giwa stressed the importance of regular mechanical checks, especially of braking systems, before embarking on any journey within or outside Lagos.

    The Special Adviser reaffirmed the state government’s resolute commitment to the preservation of lives and property across its road networks, underscoring that acts of avoidable negligence and mechanical irresponsibility will continue to attract stringent regulatory sanctions.

  • LASTMA rolls out traffic control plan ahead of festival season in Lagos

    LASTMA rolls out traffic control plan ahead of festival season in Lagos

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has unveiled an extensive, intelligence-driven traffic control strategy aimed at ensuring smooth vehicular movement and public safety across the state.

    In a statement issued by LASTMA spokesman, Adebayo Taofiq, the yuletide season typically witnesses a sharp increase in traffic volume, fuelled by concerts, carnivals, end-of-year parties, religious gatherings and other recreational activities. 

    To address the expected pressure on the road network, LASTMA has intensified its operational readiness through the deployment of experienced traffic officers, enhanced surveillance systems and round-the-clock monitoring of key traffic corridors, event locations, commercial hubs and major arterial roads.

    Speaking on the initiative, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, warned operators of event centres, clubs, lounges and other entertainment facilities to put in place effective internal traffic and parking arrangements capable of accommodating their patrons within their premises.

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    He stressed that any spillover of vehicles onto public roads that results in obstruction or gridlock would attract strict enforcement measures, describing such practices as a violation of the collective right of Lagos residents to safe and unhindered movement.

    Bakare-Oki also urged market leaders, traders’ associations and other commercial stakeholders to prevent their members from displaying goods on roadways, walkways and pedestrian paths. 

    According to him, the encroachment of public spaces forces pedestrians onto the road, increasing the risk of accidents and worsening traffic congestion.

    The traffic authority further cautioned motorists to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition before embarking on journeys during the festive period. Drivers were also warned against driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substances and reminded to comply strictly with government-approved speed limits.

    LASTMA reassured the public that its enforcement teams would remain vigilant and uncompromising in enforcing traffic regulations, including those against illegal parking, road obstruction, speeding and impaired driving throughout the Detty December period and beyond.

    The agency appealed to all road users to cooperate with traffic officers, obey traffic laws and exercise patience and civic responsibility to ensure a safe and enjoyable festive season for residents and visitors.

    The authority also disclosed that high-, medium- and low-capacity tow trucks have been strategically positioned across the state, particularly along the Lekki–Ajah corridor, to promptly clear vehicle breakdowns and other emergencies. 

    The activation of the LASTMA 24-hour Night Gang Duty was also announced to monitor and regulate vehicular movement before, during and after the yuletide season.

  • ‘One-Chance’ thief nabbed in Lagos

    ‘One-Chance’ thief nabbed in Lagos

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a member of “One-Chance” syndicate operating in a painted commercial bus with registration number KSF 56 XL.

    The gang member was arrested near a Conoil Filling Station on Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, Lagos, after attacking a female passenger.

    Miss Bibian Emelifonwu, the victim, said the suspects—posing as regular passengers— stole her mobile phone under the pretence of opening the bus door before ejecting her from the moving vehicle onto the highway.

    A vigilant team of LASTMA officers stationed nearby witnessed the incident and pursued the fleeing bus, managing to apprehend the driver, identified as Mr. Toyib Ogunjobi.

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    However, his accomplices, the conductor and another passenger.

    During interrogation, Ogunjobi confessed to leading a three-man syndicate, including the vehicle’s owner. He said their operation involved luring passengers with low fares on the Costain-Ojota route before stealing their belongings and forcibly ejecting them while in transit.

    According to Ogunjobi, the gang generated between N250,000 and N300,000 daily from selling stolen phones and other valuables.

    He further said such operations were proliferating across the state, highlighting the widespread nature of the crime.

    Seven stolen mobile phones, including models such as Techno Pop, Samsung AZZ, Intel A623, Techno Spark, Techno Pounoir, and other Samsung devices, were recovered from the suspect.

    General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the officers.

  • Five injured in Lagos accident

    Five injured in Lagos accident

    •Gombe: Bus runs into Christmas procession, injures 22

    A road accident involving two commercial buses yesterday left five passengers injured at Iyana-Era, inward Agbara, on the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway.

    According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the crash occurred when a T4 commercial bus, with registration number LSD 668 YE, rammed into an LT commercial bus (BDG 728 YE) that was stationary and loading passengers at the Iyana-Iba bus Stop.

    Preliminary investigations by LASTMA indicated that the T4 bus was on top speed toward Agbara when its brakes failed, leading to the collision.

    In Gombe State, a Sharon seven-seater mini-bus lost control and crashed into a procession of Christians on their way to the Government House and Emir of Gombe’s Palace for the traditional Christmas homage yesterday.

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    Although no lives were lost, several people sustained injuries and were rushed to various hospitals for treatment.

    An eyewitness reported that the Christians had just concluded services at their churches in Tunfure and had gathered to begin the procession, singing praises and drumming in high spirits.

    The eyewitness, who narrowly escaped the crash, narrated that the vehicle unexpectedly plowed into the crowd from behind.

    Efforts to get an official statement from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe were unsuccessful, as the Public Education and Enlightenment Officer, Janet Kassa, could not be reached, nor did she respond to messages sent via WhatsApp and SMS at the time of this report.

  • Recruit more

    Recruit more

    •Operating with inadequate Air Traffic Controllers is risky for the aviation sector

    Traffic controllers generally direct the flow of vehicles and machinery on roads and other work sites. They are indispensable, irrespective of the kind of transportation. Before the advent of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), for instance, vehicular traffic on Lagos roads was chaotic. Preventable accidents occurred, with attendant deaths and injuries just because there were inadequate traffic control personnel to enforce order. Not that LASTMA has completely eliminated road accidents; but the authority has been invaluable in reducing the number of accidents and also in terms of the sanity it has brought to bear on Lagos roads.

    If road traffic controllers are this invaluable, we can then better appreciate the worth of air traffic controllers (ATCs) whose primary concern is aviation safety. They direct aircraft efficiently to minimise delays. They manage the flow of aircraft into and out of the airport airspace, guide pilots during takeoff and landing, and monitor aircraft as they travel through the skies. In short, they contribute to the overall safety of the aviation system by effectively managing airspace, controlling traffic flow, and preventing conflicts on the airspace.

    It is against this backdrop that we view with serious concern the alarm raised by the airline owners under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), to the effect that our airports are operating without the requisite number of ATCs. This is their area of operation and we commend their speaking out on the issue. 

    President of the association, Alhaji Abdulmumeen Yunusa Sarina, made this disclosure in Kano during the 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), with the theme, “Sustainability of the Renewed Hope Agenda in Aviation: The Imperative of Manpower Development and Efficient Air Navigation Services.”

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    The AON president, who is also president of Azman Group, chaired the AGM. He is unhappy with the inadequate number of ATCs even as he called for migration into satellite-based navigation to reduce flight delays.

    “Aside from adequate and quality training of Air Traffic Controllers, there is also the issue of having them in sufficient numbers to man the various Air Traffic Installations around the country.”

    It is this acute shortage of qualified ATCs that has prompted the recall of some retired traffic controllers to fill the gap. Not only that, those on duty are overstretched, as they work longer than they normally should. These long hours with irregular shifts could impair their performance.

    Not only that, as Alhaji Sarina noted, they also posed significant threat to safety in the aviation sector. Human beings would always be human beings. They cannot work without adequate rest. And when they do, there would always be consequences. For the aviation sector, these consequences could be dire. 

    Moreover, we must be concerned about these inadequate ATCs, especially with proven statistics that about 50 per cent of accidents in the aviation sector is attributable to human error. Hear Alhaji Sarina: “Human factors in aviation have been identified as being responsible for about 50% of major aircraft accidents. This can be as a result of aviation personnel being subjected to adverse physical and psychological working conditions that can eventually lead to serious problems.”

    We therefore join the AON boss in appealing to the Management of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to employ more ATCs to address the acute shortage.

    If, as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said, the ATCs are the “unsung heroes” in the aviation industry, we should treat them more deservedly by not overworking them.

    We seize this opportunity to urge the new executives of NATCA to keep the issue on the front-burner of their agitations with the airport authorities. It is in the interest of their members, the larger aviation sector and the air passengers, that we have enough of them to man our airports. We do not have to wait for air mishaps before doing the rightful.

  • Youths attack LASTMA, Police operatives over death of Lagos motorist 

    Youths attack LASTMA, Police operatives over death of Lagos motorist 

    Angry youths on Tuesday attacked officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and their police escort for causing the death of an about-to-wed motorist.

    The incident which occurred at the Super area of Abule Egba, caused panic among residents and road users.

    The enforcement team attracted the wrath of the youths after another vehicle escaping their clutches, knocked and killed the unnamed driver of a Toyota Corolla car whose wedding, they said was to be held on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the officers had stopped the deceased for plying the BRT lane and insisted he must part with N100,000 bribe or risk his vehicle being confiscated.

    An eyewitness, Babs Saliu, alleged that all the pleas from the driver fell on deaf ears, adding that there was no warning sign to alert motorists that the diversion was only for BRT.

    “The driver was with his younger brother. He begged them to collect N40,000 but they refused and kept threatening him that they will tow his car to their office and government will seize it. 

    “He begged them that he didn’t know it was BRT lane and that he was planning for his wedding but they refused to listen. At a point he offered N70,000 to them and they still stood their grounds.

    ‘One of the officers told  him to go to a nearby POS to get the bribe money for them and as they were still having that discussion, another vehicle fleeing from the officers knocked the Toyota Corolla.

    “The driver died on the spot while his younger brother sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

    “This angered onlookers and passersby who immediately started protesting against the officers accusing them of constant extortion.of the masses at that bus stop.

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    “The mob that gathered attacked the security operatives who fled for fear of being lynched. The mob then barricaded the BRT lane with the Corolla car and other objects.”

    Chanting war songs, the protesters in their hundreds called on the government to withdraw those agencies from the scene.

    “We are calling on the state government to withdraw the police and LATSMA from the place as they are not working for the government but for their pockets. They are making millions everyday. 

    “They should also do road signs to warn unsuspecting motorists, especially those coming from Ogun State about BRT lane.

    “The normal road and the BRT are conjoined and it is difficult to differentiate the roads and the government agencies cashed in on the ignorance of motorists to rob them of their money,” lamented a trader.

    “Instead of staying on the entry point to control traffic or direct motorists not to pass there, they would hide somewhere,.so when a motorist makes the mistake of entering the BRT road, the officials in the company of armed policemen would use sharp objects to barricade the road and swoop on the offender. 

    “They never take any offender who pays N 50, 000 and above to the station, but would end up collecting money from them,” said another protester.

    As at press time, the protesters were still at the scene guarding the Corolla car and chanting: “We don’t need BRT, it will never operate on this route again” “We don’t need LASTMA and police here” “We are tired of arrest and stealing our hard earned money” “Police and LATSMA are working for their tommy.”

    However, five police patrol vehicles were on ground trying to recover the vehicle they used in blocking the BRT lane, but the protesters were not ready to give up as they were resisting the armed policemen. 

    Contacted, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO SP Benjamin Hundyin said: “I am aware that a driver who broke the law by passing through BRT lane, hit a man and the man died. I have not been properly briefed on the matter.”

  • 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.”

  • Lagos Assembly decries traffic jam, urges Ambode to intervene

    The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday decried the congestion of Sekunmade Road in Ikorodu area of Lagos by heavy duty trucks, urging Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene.

    The House called on Ambode to direct the Commissioner for Transport, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), management of Ipakodo Lighter Terminal to eliminate indiscriminate parking of long vehicles on the road.

    The Assembly also called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to provide where long vehicles would park before they load goods from the terminal.

    The resolution followed a matter raised by the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu Constituency 1) and supported by Mr Segun Olulade (Epe Constituency 2) under Matter of Urgent Public Importance on Thursday.

    Agunbiade had condemned the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trucks on Sekunmade Road, Ikorodu, which he said was one of the two roads leading to Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    “The road is an important access road to Imota, Ijede and others. The roads around the lighter terminal in Ipakodo have become an eyesore.

    “The long vehicles always block the road and they would be there for days. They don’t even have security light that would prevent accident.

    “That was how it started in Apapa area of Lagos before it became an eyesore,” Agunbiade said.

    The lawmaker said that it was important for the Commissioner for Transport to review the law on movement of vehicles, while also calling on leaders of LASTMA to rise to the occasion on the matter.

    He said that Public Works should be called upon to repair the roads, which had become dilapidated.

    Also speaking, Mr Rotimi Olowo (APC- Somolu I),  noted that Ipakodo Sekumade Road was very strategic to Ikorodu.

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    He said that it would not be fair to allow vehicles to block the road.

    Olowo said that companies should be cautioned with the way their vehicles were parked in the area.

    In his contribution, Mr Segun Olulade (APC- Epe II), said that the area was strategic to Epe.

    Mr Nurudeen Saka-Solaja (APC- Ikorodu II) said the road had become waterlogged.

    He said that trailers and containers parked indiscriminately were also causing a lot of problems for the people.

    “What is happening in Sekunmade is not right. There are traffic control officers in Ikorodu West Local Government that can do the job.

    “We should fine anyone that parks vehicles there indiscriminately,”Mr Tobun Abiodun (APC-Epe I) added.

    The Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa,  directed the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to communicate the resolution of the House on the matter to Ambode.

  • Lagos sets up team for free flow of traffic

    Lagos State Government has established a Special Team to ensure efficient traffic compliance in the State and particularly to address the observable flagrant disobedience to traffic rules by motorists.

    Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), AIG Chris Olakpe (Rtd) disclosed this Thursday after a tour of notable traffic prone areas of the state in company of other top hierarchy of the Agency including the General Manager, Mr. Olawale Musa.

    He said the development was part of series of actions and concerted efforts taken to tackle traffic gridlock headlong across the State.

    The Special Team, according to him, consists of the Police, LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and men from different military formations with the purpose of maintaining physical presence and ensuring compliance at the identified traffic trouble spots.

    He expressed optimism that the officers would bring their experiences and professionalism to bear and compliment the efforts of existing staff on ground, adding that their primary responsibility is to ensure efficiency in the traffic control and enforcement of traffic laws all over the state.

    Olakpe warned that LASTMA would not hesitate to prosecute recalcitrant motorists in the habit of flouting the existing traffic laws, assuring that the agency remains totally committed to ensuring efficient traffic control across the State.

    He assured that no stone will be left unturned in the management of traffic and enforcement of traffic laws in the State.

    ”A radical problem required a radical solution. Therefore, I want to state clearly that any motorist caught violating the law would face full wrath of the law. Let me also seize this opportunity to plead with Lagosians and the general public for orderliness to reign on the roads,” he said.

    He said all owners of articulated vehicles apprehended at Apapa earlier this week for willful obstruction, and 36 other vehicle owners arrested for driving against traffic will soon have their day in court accordingly.

    Olakpe enjoined traffic officers to be more dedicated and work within the ambit of law, saying that it had become imperative especially now that repair and rehabilitation of roads are in top gear across the State.

  • LASTMA gets 1,400 new officials to curb Lagos gridlocks

    LASTMA gets 1,400 new officials to curb Lagos gridlocks

    In a bid to curb traffic gridlocks on Lagos roads, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday said it has engaged over 1,400 new graduate traffic managers.

    LASTMA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Olakpe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the new officials were trained on effectiveness traffic management within Lagos metropolis.

    Olakpe said that various orientation and training programmes were undertaken for LASTMA officials on traffic control and management to ensure professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

    “The trainings are ongoing to capture the old officials within the state to blend with the newly recruited graduates.

    “About 1,400 new officials were recently recruited and trained to bring improvement, discipline and curb gridlocks within the state.

    “We have about 4,250 LASTMA officials to ensure free flow of traffic on various routes in Lagos State,” he said.

    The LASTMA boss said that the officials were trained on protocol of arrest, surveillance and traffic management.

    Olapke added that there were various disciplinary departments at the agency to punish any official who is found wanting in the line of duty.

    “We have departments and sections that deal with discipline like provost marshal’s office, surveillance and monitoring unit and LASTMA complaint units.

    “All these sections are in position to deal with any official who disobey the rules and regulations of the authority,” he said.

    NAN reports that eight LASTMA officials were on Aug. 14 sacked for receiving bribes.

    The LASTMA chief executive said that the authority had been working assiduously to reduce gridlocks in Apapa and its environs.

    He said that the agency had established “Operation Keep Traffic Moving’’ to ease gridlocks in Apapa and other parts of the Lagos metropolis.

    “LASTMA has been assisting in the movement of traffic in Apapa by trying to streamline traffic; it has been doing its best to reduce the gridlocks being experienced in the area,” he said.