Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have
arrested a commercial bus driver, David Agiri for driving a stolen vehicle
with number plate FKJ 875XC at Oshodi area of the State.
The driver, while attempting to escape arrest, almost ran over the
vehicle of the Agency’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa, as well as the bus of
the monitoring team.
Agiri, who has been on the wanted list of the Agency since February 23,
2017 for driving against traffic at Iyana Iba on Lagos- Badagry Express Way in
contrast to the relevant sections of the Lagos State Traffic Laws which forbids
driving in the direction of oncoming vehicles, had evaded arrest from the hands
of the traffic personnel.
However, in line with the policy of the Agency which forbids officers
from pursuing fleeing vehicles, Agiri escaped arrest with the bus. But the long
arm of the law later caught up with him when he was eventually arrested with
the same vehicle last Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Oshodi.
Further investigation of vehicle papers by LASTMA officials revealed
that the vehicle number plates did not correspond with the vehicle documents as
the number plates belong to a Port Harcourt resident with a different name and
type of vehicle.
In addition, Agiri who is a native of Badagry and a resident of Agbara
town in Ogun State was said to be a well-known serial traffic offender with
penchant for driving against traffic.
Commenting on the incident, Musa said the Agency's monitoring team on
routine patrol of Lagos roads caught the driver of the unpainted commercial bus
at Iyana-Iba driving against traffic and efforts to apprehend Agiri proved
abortive as he mobilised social miscreants to attack the traffic officials.
Agiri, who has been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Mosafejo
Division for further investigation and appearances before the court of
competent jurisdiction, confessed to flouting the traffic laws and also that
the number plates found on the vehicle did not actually belong to him.
Speaking further, the LASTMA boss assured that the Agency would not
relent in ensuring seamless flow of traffic in the State, adding that
impunities by some motorists would also not be condoned.
According to Musa, the era of fragrant disobedience of traffic laws in
the State was over for good.
Musa further warned the commercial bus drivers not to constitute
themselves into a nuisance in the State as anybody caught violating the law
would be dealt with accordingly.
It would be recalled that the Agency has begun series of monitoring and
patrolling of major roads in the State in a bid to stem the activities of
traffic law violators and maintain the existing orderliness and sanity being
enjoyed by commuters in Lagos State.
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Society