DistantNews
Support us
LASTMA nabs bus conductor for stabbing officer over traffic offense
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

LASTMA nabs bus conductor for stabbing officer over traffic offense

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A commercial bus conductor was arrested in Lagos for allegedly stabbing a LASTMA officer during a traffic enforcement operation.
  • The incident occurred when the bus was stopped for causing obstruction, and the conductor resisted arrest, attacking the officer with a screwdriver.
  • LASTMA's General Manager condemned the assault, warning that attacks on officers performing their duties will face legal consequences.

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have arrested a commercial bus conductor for allegedly stabbing one of their officers. The incident took place on Monday at the Ile-Epo Market area along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway during a routine traffic enforcement operation.

Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law.

— Mr. Olalekan Bakare-OkiThe LASTMA General Manager issues a stern warning against assaulting traffic officers.

The LASTMA patrol team had stopped a Volkswagen commercial bus, registration number LSR 989 XG, for causing significant traffic obstruction. According to reports, the bus driver resisted the officers' attempts to enforce traffic laws. During the altercation, the conductor, identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, reportedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked a LASTMA officer, inflicting a stab wound.

The injured officer was promptly taken to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment and is reported to be responding well. The incident was reported to the Abattoir Police Division, and the suspect was taken into custody for further investigation and potential prosecution. During preliminary interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to using the screwdriver and stated he mistakenly stabbed the officer.

Our officers are deployed across the State to facilitate seamless movement of people, goods and services, as well as to ensure strict compliance with extant traffic regulations.

— Mr. Olalekan Bakare-OkiThe LASTMA General Manager explains the role of traffic officers.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, strongly condemned the violent assault. He expressed deep concern over the rising hostility and aggression directed at traffic management personnel. Bakare-Oki emphasized that the Lagos State Government will not tolerate any form of assault against officers performing their lawful duties. "Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law," he stated, urging compliance with traffic regulations to ensure a safer transportation system.

Any act of violence against them constitutes an affront to public order and the rule of law and will not go unpunished.

— Mr. Olalekan Bakare-OkiThe LASTMA General Manager condemns violence against his officers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog