Motorists beat up LASTMA official for ‘misconduct’
A yet-to-be-identified official of the Lagos
State Traffic Management Authority was
beaten up on Monday afternoon at the
Ogolonto area, Ikorodu in Lagos for what
motorists described as an "immodest
attitude."
The LASTMA official, whose uniform was
blood-stained, was beaten up by a
combined team of motorists and street
urchins, otherwise known as area boys, at
about 12.30pm.
When our correspondent got to the scene
of the clash, a transporter in the garage,
who identified himself simply as Obisesan,
said the LASTMA official was beaten up due
to his "overbearing attitude."
He said, "There were about five LASTMA
officials at this junction at about 12.30pm. A
commercial driver with his conductor was
approaching from inside the area. Their bus
did not have any passenger. By the time
they got to the junction, two of the LASTMA
officials climbed into the bus for a reason
unknown to the driver, and ordered him to
park.
"While the driver was finding out what his
offence was, one of the LASTMA officials
placed his leg on the clutch. Meanwhile, the
driver's leg was on the turtle. That was how
the bus swerved and the engine got
knocked. Motorists got angry, and the
pandemonium started."
It was further learnt that while the
commotion lasted, other LASTMA officials
and traffic policemen on duty could not
intervene, as the area boys continued to hit
the LASTMA official. Meanwhile, the motorist
was also said to have sustained slight
injuries in the scuffle.
A LASTMA official at the bus stop, who
craved anonymity, told our correspondent
that they quickly alerted the police when
they suspected the situation was getting
out of hands.
He said, "It took the intervention of the
police to arrest the situation as the area
boys were growing in number. Eventually,
when the policemen showed up, the culprit
driver and some area boys were all taken to
Ipakodo Police Division.
"The driver's bus is at the station and our
injured colleague is also with them."
Our correspondent who also visited the
division saw the bus, and met about 20
people including two LASTMA officials.
When contacted on phone, the Chief
Executive Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Young
Arabamen, said he had yet to receive any
information of an injured official.
"I do not have that information of any
injured official," he said.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she would get
back to our correspondent, but had yet to
do so as of the time of going to press.
State Traffic Management Authority was
beaten up on Monday afternoon at the
Ogolonto area, Ikorodu in Lagos for what
motorists described as an "immodest
attitude."
The LASTMA official, whose uniform was
blood-stained, was beaten up by a
combined team of motorists and street
urchins, otherwise known as area boys, at
about 12.30pm.
When our correspondent got to the scene
of the clash, a transporter in the garage,
who identified himself simply as Obisesan,
said the LASTMA official was beaten up due
to his "overbearing attitude."
He said, "There were about five LASTMA
officials at this junction at about 12.30pm. A
commercial driver with his conductor was
approaching from inside the area. Their bus
did not have any passenger. By the time
they got to the junction, two of the LASTMA
officials climbed into the bus for a reason
unknown to the driver, and ordered him to
park.
"While the driver was finding out what his
offence was, one of the LASTMA officials
placed his leg on the clutch. Meanwhile, the
driver's leg was on the turtle. That was how
the bus swerved and the engine got
knocked. Motorists got angry, and the
pandemonium started."
It was further learnt that while the
commotion lasted, other LASTMA officials
and traffic policemen on duty could not
intervene, as the area boys continued to hit
the LASTMA official. Meanwhile, the motorist
was also said to have sustained slight
injuries in the scuffle.
A LASTMA official at the bus stop, who
craved anonymity, told our correspondent
that they quickly alerted the police when
they suspected the situation was getting
out of hands.
He said, "It took the intervention of the
police to arrest the situation as the area
boys were growing in number. Eventually,
when the policemen showed up, the culprit
driver and some area boys were all taken to
Ipakodo Police Division.
"The driver's bus is at the station and our
injured colleague is also with them."
Our correspondent who also visited the
division saw the bus, and met about 20
people including two LASTMA officials.
When contacted on phone, the Chief
Executive Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Young
Arabamen, said he had yet to receive any
information of an injured official.
"I do not have that information of any
injured official," he said.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer, Ngozi Braide, said she would get
back to our correspondent, but had yet to
do so as of the time of going to press.
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