LASTMA Officer Hospitalised After Commercial Bus Driver Stabs Him at Ojota Interchange in Lagos

LASTMA Officer Hospitalised After Commercial Bus Driver Stabs Him at Ojota Interchange in Lagos

 

A traffic enforcement operation turned violent at Ojota Interchange in Lagos after a commercial bus driver allegedly stabbed a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer with a broken bottle, leaving him with severe finger fractures and significant blood loss.

A commercial bus driver has allegedly stabbed a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer during an enforcement operation at Ojota Interchange in Lagos.

According to LASTMA, the incident occurred over the weekend when officers intercepted a painted Caravelle GL Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number EKY 693 YK along the Ojota–Ketu corridor. The vehicle was reportedly stopped for operating with its passenger door left open while fully loaded with commuters — a violation the agency described as dangerous to passengers and other road users.

The agency said the driver resisted arrest and allegedly attempted to flee by mounting the road median in a bid to escape. However, the vehicle reportedly became immobilised, forcing him to stop.

LASTMA stated that the situation escalated when the driver allegedly grabbed a broken bottle from inside the bus and attacked the officers. During the confrontation, one officer was stabbed in the fingers of his right hand, sustaining severe fractures and heavy bleeding before the suspect fled the scene.

The injured officer was immediately taken to a medical facility, where he underwent emergency surgery. Authorities said two of his fingers required operative reconstruction and that he remains under medical observation.

The offending vehicle has since been impounded in accordance with traffic regulations.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the attack, describing it as a serious affront to lawful authority. He confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and that efforts are ongoing to apprehend and prosecute the fleeing suspect.

Bakare-Oki warned that assaults on traffic enforcement personnel would not be tolerated, reiterating the agency’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws and maintaining order on Lagos roads.

LASTMA also urged commercial transport operators to comply with traffic regulations, stressing that enforcement operations would be intensified to ensure public safety across the state.

The agency assured residents that it remains committed to promoting discipline, orderliness and seamless traffic flow throughout Lagos.