LASTMA official attacked, killed by irate mob; Lagos govt kicks 

An angry mob had, on Thursday, attacked an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Tajudeen Olatunji Bakare in Apapa area of the State killing him on the spot.

Bakare was said to have been attacked by the mob who accused him of been involved in the death of a motor boy attached to a Tanker.

Reacting to the development, Lagos State government says it strongly condemns the mob action that led to the death of Mr. Bakare.

The State’s Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi addressed a press briefing on the incident on Friday.

He denied the involvement of LASTMA officials in the death of the motor boy.

Mr. Elegushi also vowed to bring the perpetrators of the mob action to book.

He described the incident as ‘most unfortunate’, and urged the Nigerian Police to do a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to book, saying justice must be served.

Elegushi alleged that the mob action was carried out by Tanker Drivers, Okada Riders and other persons who live around them.

He said all of them were persons violating traffic laws.

He added that the deceased LASTMA officer was a victim of forceful take-over of roads by a group of people who desire to become a law unto themselves.

 “Officer Bakare did not lose his life to an accident,” Elegushi said. “No.”

“His life was taken by persons whose only response to an incident is to resort to “jungle justice” even when they were not sure of the play of event. 

“Our officer was murdered by blood thirsty hounds who parade themselves as purveyors of transportation,”

He continued: “As a government, we have over the years, asked Tank Farms to provide alternatives; we have engaged with the operators and Tanker Drivers yet they remain intransigent.

“To avoid situations such as this, we have proffered options but we remain undaunted in our resolve.

“The Ministry of Transportation, the supervisor of LASTMA and the management of the agency are irrevocably committed to that singular responsibility of ensuring that Lagos roads remain safe and traffic flows to enable the State’s economy to thrive.

“We do so believing that all residents and visitors to the State obey all our laws and live in tandem with our vision of the community we desire to live in a Lagosians.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA Chris Olakpe also reacted to the incident.

He said the incident was most unfortunate as LASTMA officials are usually trained and retrained on how to be firm, fair and friendly while dealing with members of the public.

Olakpe urged the public to desist from mob attack on officers of the agency as it was against the law.

He said the agency can be reached for complaints through 08129928646.

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