The Lagos State Government on Friday condemned in strong terms the mob
action that led to the death of an officer of the Lagos State Traffic
Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Tajudeen Olatunji Bakare and vowed to bring
the perpetrators to book.
The Government also denied involvement of LASTMA in an incident which
led to the death of a motor boy attached to a Tanker in Apapa area of the State
on Thursday.
As a result of the incident, a mob in the area had gathered to attack
the said LASTMA Official and stoned him to death.
Bakare, a level 14 officer, was said to have been attacked by the irate
mob due to a loose comment by a passerby, while his two eyes were removed and
stabbed, after which he was stoned to death.
Addressing a press briefing on the incident on Friday, the State’s
Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Prince Anofiu Elegushi condemned the
brutal murder of the officer, saying that the development was one death too
many and most unfortunate, as the victim was killed while performing his lawful
duties of making Apapa safe for motorists and commuters.
Elegushi, who addressed the briefing alongside the Chief Executive
Officer of LASTMA, Mr. Chris Olakpe and the General Manager of the Agency,
Bashir Braimoh, said the officer was killed for an incident he knew absolutely
nothing about, adding that it was painful that LASTMA officials were being
given raw deals either by the people they were meant to serve or security
officers, and that such must stop.
“Officer Bakare did not lose his life to an accident. No. His life was
taken by persons whose only response to an incident is to resort to “jungle
justice” even when they were not sure of the play of event. Our officer was
murdered by blood thirsty hounds who parade themselves as purveyors of
transportation,” Elegushi said.
He said the gallant officer was brought down in a situation where
LASTMA was clearly not culpable, and urged the Nigerian Police to do a thorough
investigation and bring the perpetrators to book, saying justice must be
served.
Contrary to earlier insinuation, the Commissioner said an eye witness
account revealed that LASTMA vehicle did not kill anyone, but that it was the
driver of the said Tanker that killed his motor boy who was asleep under the
vehicle.
Speaking authoritatively, Elegushi alleged that the mob action was
carried out by Tanker Drivers, Okada Riders and other persons who live around
them, all of whom he said were persons violating traffic laws, adding that the
deceased LASTMA officer was a victim of forceful take-over of roads by a group
of people who desire to become a law unto themselves.
He added: “As a government, we have over the years, asked Tank Farms to
provide alternatives; we have engaged with the operators and Tanker Drivers yet
they remain intransigent. To avoid situations such as this, we have proffered
options but we remain undaunted in our resolve.
“The Ministry of Transportation, the supervisor of LASTMA and the
management of the agency are irrevocably committed to that singular
responsibility of ensuring that Lagos roads remain safe and traffic flows to
enable the State’s economy to thrive. We do so believing that all residents and
visitors to the State obey all our laws and live in tandem with our vision of
the community we desire to live in a Lagosians.”
While debunking insinuation that enforcement of traffic laws in the
State were geared towards revenue generation, Elegushi said the State was not
in dire need of cash to warrant such, adding that the commitment of the
government was to engender compliance with the traffic laws and enforce the law
with civility as directed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Also speaking, Olakpe said the incident was most unfortunate as LASTMA
officials are usually trained and retrained on how to be firm, fair and
friendly while dealing with members of the public.
Olakpe, who urged the public to desist from mob attack on officers of
the agency as it was against the law, said the agency can be reached for
complaints through 08129928646.
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