We’ll deal ruthlessly with anyone attacking LASTMA officers, LASG vows

LAGOS State government has vowed to deal ruthlessly with any motorists or individuals caught henceforth attacking officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), saying that within this year a total of 18 LASTMA officers had been killed through various attacks while 24 others were permanent incapacitated.

Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, gave this vow at a news conference on Wednesday in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, saying the government would no longer no fold its hand and allow its officers to be killed and dehumanised by the public.

The commissioner, who said LASTMA was created and empowered by law to control and manage vehicular traffic flow in the state, wondered why officers and men, employed to safeguard members of the public were always attacked by the same members of the public whose interest they were promoting and protecting.

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“One is therefore at a loss as to why our officers and men, employed to safeguard members of the public are always attacked by the same members of the public whose interest they are promoting and protecting.

“For instance, we have, this year alone, lost 18 Officers in various accidents while 24 are permanently incapacitated due to hit and run accidents and violent attacks.

“Members of the public should realise that these officers are parents, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces and indeed children of other people,” Lawanson said.

He said that the officer cadre of LASTMA was peopled by highly educated and dedicated men and women who should not be seen as never-do-wells because they controlled traffic and were in uniform.

According to him, the officer cadre of the agency was not only well trained but was prepared as leaders who can rise to the very top of the Agency and head same with time, saying the deceased officer, Rotimi Adeyemo, was the holder of BSc Degree in Economics.

“The officer cadre of LASTMA is peopled by highly educated and dedicated men and women who should not be seen as never-do-wells because they control traffic and are in uniform. They are not only well trained but are prepared as leaders who can rise to the very top of the Agency and head the same with time.

“In the extant case of Rotimi Adeyemo, who was born in Masifa, Ejigbo in Osun State, on May 11, 1977, he holds both the National Certificate in Education, NCE, and the Bachelor of Science, B. Sc. Degree in Economics. He left behind a 105-year old father, an 88-year old mother, a wife, Eniola and three children, including a set of twins,” he said.

“For the avoidance doubts, therefore, we would like to reiterate that going forward, we will not tolerate the slightest attack on any of our officers and men. We shall henceforth apply the full weight of the relevant extant law on culprits in this regard.

“While the government will, in the face of these unfortunate incidents approve compensations and death/insurance benefits for our officials slain in the course of performing their responsibilities, we hasten to add that it is not the kind of incentives that we crave.

“We would rather that our officers thrive on their jobs, enjoy enhanced benefit and welfare packages through the institution of enhanced salaries, special insurance packages and the introduction of free and compulsory regular medical checkups alive rather than posthumously,” the commissioner added.