The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, has warned that the state government would no longer tolerate assault or attempted murder on its officials from the public.
Oreagba, who gave the warning in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said that the perpetrators of such misdemeanors would be made to face the full wrath of the law by the state government.
He spoke on an attempted murder of a LASTMA officer and Traffic Manager, Mr. Awotola Victor, by a Suzuki commercial mini bus driver (korope) with registration number: KJA 953 YE, by one Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf its driver.
The general manager said that the LASTMA official was attacked along with the patrol team when he apprehended Yusuf for causing obstruction at 3:30 p.m, on Feb. 12, at the Ojodu-Berger-Ogba axis.
He said assault on government officials while carrying out their lawful duties was becoming too rampant and government was ready to put a stop to it through diligent prosecution of persons, no matter how highly placed in the society.
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“Yusuf, the mini-bus driver and offender is said to be causing willful obstruction at River Valley Estate and after refusing all entreaties to move away from the place, his vehicle was apprehended.
“The driver disappeared only to reappear unexpectedly with a knife with which he cut Awotola’s head and neck.
“He escaped afterwards with the aid of the street urchins around the area. But his vehicle was apprehended and taken in custody by the agency.
“On Sunday, one of the chairmen of the Minibus Association and Union produced the accused at the Ojodu Police Station where he is being detained awaiting arraignment in court,” he explained.
Oreagba urged road users to be law-abiding, noting that any road user that violates the state traffic law as stated in the amended Lagos Transport Reform Laws of 2018 and in line with the state government first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda would be sanctioned.
He added that the government expected voluntary compliance to the state traffic laws in order to make Lagos a 21st Century economy for the benefit of everyone.
The Legal Director, LASTMA, Mr. Kehinde Akerele, said that Yusuf would be charged with attempted murder as the government would diligently prosecute the case to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrent to others with similar intention. (NAN)
