Miscreants attack LASTMA officials, vandalise operational vehicles 

…Five arrested

By Bose Adelaja

CITIZENS COMPASS –The Lagos State Government on Thursday, April 25, 2024, said it has finalised preparations to prosecute five arrested persons for assaulting officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

They are Falomo Oluwafemi, Afeniyi Stephen, Olamide Adekunle, Chukwu Guaja Eze and Adeshina Sulaimon.

The assault occurred during an enforcement operation in the Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

54 trucks belonging to Viju Milk were impounded.

Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, who confirmed the incident said it occurred on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

He said it occurred in response to the numerous complaints by members of the public about indiscriminate parking of trucks resulting in traffic congestion in the area.

In a statement, he said, “LASTMA operatives conducted an operation to remove illegally parked Viju Milk trucks on Oba Akran Avenue in response to numerous complaints from the public about the trucks causing traffic congestion.

“During the operation, four LASTMA officers sustained serious injuries from weapons wielded by Viju Milk truck drivers and local miscreants. 

“While LASTMA operational vehicles were vandalized, 54 Viju Milk trucks were evacuated by LASTMA during the enforcement operations.

“The police, working alongside LASTMA, arrested five of these individuals (Falomo Oluwafemi, Afeniyi Stephen, Olamide Adekunle, Chukwu Guaja Eze and Adeshina Sulaimon) seized various weapons including broken bottles, iron rods, charms, knives, and cutlasses.

“The injured LASTMA officers were promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Hon. Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, stated that the arrested individuals would be prosecuted by the government as a deterrent to others.”