Errant driver stabs LASTMA officer in Lagos

An officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was over the weekend stabbed by a commercial bus driver, while his colleagues narrowly escaped being attacked.

The yet-to-be-identified commercial bus driver had reportedly been stopped for committing a traffic offence in Lagos State when he became violent and attacked the LASTMA operatives.

The spokesperson for the traffic agency, Adebayo Taofiq, while confirming the incident, noted that the bus driven by the fleeing driver had been impounded, although the driver escaped.

In a statement signed by him on Sunday, Adebayo said: “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) over the weekend registers its strongest condemnation of a heinous and premeditated assault perpetrated against one of its officers by a defiant commercial bus driver at Ojota Interchange in Lagos.

“The violence involved a painted Caravelle GL Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number EKY 693 YK.”

He continued: “The vehicle was lawfully intercepted for a flagrant contravention of extant traffic regulations, having been operated along the Ojota–Ketu corridor with its passenger door recklessly left ajar while fully laden with commuters, an egregious infraction that gravely endangered passengers and other road users alike.”

According to LASTMA, “Upon interception on the main carriageway, the driver responded with brazen insubordination, strenuously resisting lawful arrest and attempting a hazardous escape by mounting the median in a desperate bid to abscond.

“His attempted flight was, however, abruptly curtailed when the vehicle became mechanically immobilised. Frustrated by the collapse of his escape plan, the suspect descended into unrestrained violence.”

The agency further stated: “In a shocking display of brutality, he seized a jagged broken bottle from within the bus and lunged menacingly at the enforcement officers, stabbing one officer in the fingers of his right hand.

“The vicious attack resulted in severe fractures and significant blood loss before the assailant fled the scene in a cowardly retreat.”

“Notwithstanding his escape, the offending vehicle was immediately impounded in strict compliance with statutory provisions,” LASTMA added.

The injured officer was promptly evacuated to a medical facility, where he underwent emergency surgical intervention.

Due to the severity of the fractures sustained, two fingers required immediate operative reconstruction. He remains under close medical observation and is receiving comprehensive care.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed profound outrage and unequivocal condemnation of the reprehensible act.

He affirmed that the incident is being thoroughly investigated by the police, and that prosecutorial measures are underway to ensure the apprehension and diligent prosecution of the perpetrator.