A commercial bus conductor has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official with a screwdriver during a traffic enforcement operation along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The incident occurred at the busy Ile-Epo Market corridor inward Abule-Egba while a LASTMA patrol team was clearing traffic obstruction caused by a Volkswagen commercial bus with registration number LSR 989 XG.
In a statement issued on Monday, LASTMA spokesperson Adebayo Taofiq identified the suspect as Lekan Olasunkanmi, saying he had been arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
According to Taofiq, the enforcement operation turned violent after the commercial bus driver allegedly resisted officials who were carrying out their lawful duties.
He explained that the confrontation escalated when the conductor reportedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the traffic officers.
“The driver of the commercial vehicle vehemently resisted lawful enforcement procedures. In a shocking escalation of events, the vehicle’s conductor, later identified as Mr. Lekan Olasunkanmi, armed himself with a screwdriver and violently attacked a LASTMA officer, inflicting a stab wound during the altercation,” the statement said.
The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency medical attention and is said to be responding positively to treatment.
Taofiq said the matter was promptly reported at the Abattoir Police Division, while the suspect was taken into police custody.
He added that during preliminary interrogation, Olasunkanmi reportedly admitted bringing out the screwdriver and confessed that he mistakenly stabbed the traffic officer during the confrontation.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki strongly condemned what he described as the increasing attacks on traffic management personnel while carrying out official responsibilities.
He warned that the Lagos State Government would not tolerate violence, intimidation or harassment directed at traffic officers.
“Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law,” Bakare-Oki said.
He stressed that LASTMA officers are deployed across the state to facilitate the smooth movement of people, goods and services while ensuring compliance with existing traffic regulations.
According to him, any assault on traffic officers constitutes an attack on public order and the rule of law and would be met with appropriate legal action.
Bakare-Oki also urged motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to comply with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, noting that cooperation with traffic management officials is essential to maintaining a safe, orderly and efficient transport system.
He further appealed to transport unions and commercial vehicle operators to educate their members on the importance of respecting law enforcement and traffic management officials.
