A commercial bus driver’s desperate attempt to evade arrest turned catastrophic on Tuesday when he set himself and a Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) official on fire ¹ ² ³. The incident occurred on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, causing traffic congestion in the area.
According to LASTMA spokesman Adebayo Taofiq, the driver’s Volkswagen T4 bus, with license plate LSD 355 CK, was intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area ¹. When LASTMA officials tried to arrest him, the driver and his conductor became aggressive, pouring petrol on the officers and engaging in physical attacks.
In a shocking turn of events, the driver set his bus ablaze, and unfortunately, a LASTMA official was also caught in the flames ¹ ² ³. The injured officer sustained severe burns and was rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.
LASTMA management strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining order and ensuring road safety in Lagos ¹. The agency urged all drivers to comply with traffic regulations and respect LASTMA personnel.
The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 empowers LASTMA to enforce traffic laws and maintain order on Lagos roads ⁴. The agency vowed to take firm action against those responsible for the violent incident.
Details of the incident are still emerging, but it’s clear that the driver’s actions were reckless and put innocent lives at risk ¹ ² ³. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by traffic officials in enforcing traffic laws.
LASTMA has been working to improve traffic management in Lagos, with initiatives like the launch of a 24/7 call center with toll-free lines for motorists ⁴. However, incidents like this highlight the challenges faced by the agency in maintaining order on Lagos roads.
The incident is under investigation, and authorities will likely take further action against the driver and his conductor ¹.
