Lagos to start prosecuting traffic offenders, says Ambode

Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos state governor, says all traffic offenders in the state will henceforth be prosecuted.

Ambode gave the warning after paying a condolence visit to the headquarters of the Lagos State Traffic Authority (LASTMA) over the death of Rotimi Adeyemo.

The governor said the government will no longer condone any act of lawlessness by road users.

Adeyemo, an officer of LASTMA was on November 28, allegedly shot dead by an officer attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), at Iyana-Ipaja area of the state.

The LASTMA official was said to have flagged the FSARS official down over traffic issue and the victim was allegedly shot in the process.

Ambode explained that in the last one year, 18 LASTMA officers had died in the line of duty and 24 others incapacitated.

He said that henceforth, traffic offenders would be dealt with strictly.

The governor said the option of fine as a punishment might be stepped down henceforth.

Ambode also directed the ministry of justice to increase the number of mobile courts in the state to 20.

“I have come here on behalf of the government to commiserate with all LASTMA officers,” the governor said.

“As at today, we have lost 18 LASTMA officers in the line of duty, just because they were performing their civic duties.

“I have 24 LASTMA officers that are permanently incapacitated in various hospitals this year alone.

“We have not been churning out this data, just because we believe Lagosians will understand that these men and women we put on the line of duty are harmless and have nothing to protect themselves.

“All they have is the traffic laws they tend to protect and regulate.

“First, I appeal to you all that we must obey traffic laws. Secondly, we cannot turn the state into a state of lawlessness.

“So from this moment onwards, all our security agencies and also all officers concerned will discipline any traffic offender that is arrested.

“Government will go down and deal squarely with any traffic offender henceforth.”

The governor said the family of the slain officer will benefit from the N10 million insurance scheme set up by the state government.