LASTMA Officer Stabbed by Commercial Bus Conductor During Traffic Enforcement in Abule-Egba, Suspect Arrested
A commercial bus conductor has been arrested after allegedly stabbing an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) during a traffic enforcement operation at Ile-Epo Market, inward Abule-Egba, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. The injured officer is receiving medical treatment, while the suspect has been handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.
A commercial bus conductor has been taken into police custody after allegedly stabbing a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer during a routine traffic enforcement exercise at Ile-Epo Market, inward Abule-Egba, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
According to LASTMA, the incident occurred when one of its patrol teams intercepted a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LSR 989 XG for allegedly obstructing traffic along the busy market corridor.
The agency said the driver resisted the enforcement process, while the conductor, identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, allegedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the traffic officers, inflicting a stab wound during the confrontation.
The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency medical attention. LASTMA said the officer is responding positively to treatment.
The case was subsequently reported at the Abattoir Police Division, where the suspect was arrested and is currently in police custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to the agency, the suspect admitted during preliminary police interrogation that he brought out the screwdriver and accidentally stabbed the officer during the altercation.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the attack, describing the growing hostility against traffic management personnel as disturbing.
He warned that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate assaults, intimidation or harassment of officials carrying out their lawful duties.
"Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law. Our officers are deployed across the state to facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods and services, while ensuring compliance with traffic regulations. Any act of violence against them is an affront to public order and the rule of law and will not go unpunished," he said.
Bakare-Oki also urged motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to comply with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, stressing that cooperation with traffic management authorities is essential to ensuring safer and more efficient transportation across the state.
He further appealed to transport unions and commercial vehicle operators to sensitise their members on the importance of respecting law enforcement and traffic management officials while carrying out their responsibilities.
No comments