CITIZENS COMPASS– LAGOS State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has reacted to Citizens Compass’ story of Wednesday, January 4, 2023, over the alleged stabbing of a commercial driver, Jamiu Alao by some Area Boys at Brewery under bridge in Lagos State.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, dated Thursday, January 5, 2022.
He said the Authority has embarked on a fact-finding mission over the incident.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA has been drawn to the above captioned story published by an online media (Citizens Compass) on Wednesday, 4th of January, 2023.
“In a statement released by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq disclosed that the story as narrated by the driver of a commercial coaster bus (Jamiu Alao) who was stabbed was not the true position of what transpired at Ijora under bridge on Wednesday, Dec. 21st, 2022 around Ijora, Brewery area of Lagos.
“It is pertinent to state that on 22nd of December, 2022, the Agency received a call from a commercial bus driver who said he was assaulted by some area boys inside a towing vehicle attached with a Lastma patrol team around under bridge at Ijora, Lagos.
“The case was immediately referred to the ‘Provost and Surveillance’ Unit of Lastma for a thorough investigation.
“The Unit held a fact finding meeting with the complainant (driver), towing vehicle operator and Lastma Officers involved on Wednesday, 28th of December, 2022 at Lastma Headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos
“Investigations revealed that the commercial driver (Jamiu Alao) and his boys were stabbed by area boys (hoodlums) at Ijora because he refused to pay them money ‘owo oni-ile’ before his technician could be allowed to work on his broken down coaster bus.
“It was further revealed that immediately the driver gave money to the first set of area boys that approached him another set (hoodlums) appeared to demand for another money which he refused to pay them.
“The hot argument later turned into a serious fracas where some transport union members supported him (driver) and engaged those area boys with dangerous weapons.
“Unfortunate for the driver, he and his conductor got stabbed at different spots by these notorious area boys before the arrival of Police men.
“LASTMA Officials with the towing vehicle operator left the scene immediately and continued their official duties.”
GM warns motorists
“The General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bolaji Oreagba however warned motorists particularly commercial bus operators to always report to the Police whenever they are having issues with area boys (hoodlums).”
Citizens Compass had reported that the commercial driver, Jamiu Alao, had alleged that he was stabbed by some Area Boys in connivance of men of LASTMA.
He said on that fateful day, his fully loaded coaster bus had taken off from Apongbon enroute Orile when it broke down at Brewery area.
Jamiu told Citizens Compass that the passengers demanded for part payment of their fares.
Similarlly, he said some area boys approached and assisted him to push the bus off the road whileà he gave them N5,000 in return.
Jamiu Alleged that he went to source for an auto technician to check the vehicles only for men of LASTMA to arrive the scene with a towing vehicle and three Area Boys but he disallowed them from towing the vehicle and two of the Area Boys stabbed him severally in the process.
He alleged that a bus conductor, Samson who saw him afar, rushed to the scene to find out what transpired but ended up being stabbed by the Area Boys.
Jamiu said one of his friends escalated the matter to LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi where he was invited to narrate his ordeal but nothing cogent was achieved.
However, Adebayo Taofik noted in the statement that the Authority has started a fact-finding mission.
