‘I Didn’t Order LASTMA To Stop Arrest Of Vehicles, Motorists’ - Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode says he did not at any time direct the stoppage of arrests of contravened vehicles and motorists by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Habib Aruna, the State Government said it had received reports of some criminally minded people attacking officials of LASTMA on their legitimate duties on the pretext that the Governor had directed at his meeting with LASTMA officials on Wednesday to desist from arresting  motorists who contravened traffic laws.

Akinwunmi Ambode

The statement said in areas such as Badagry on Thursday, some officials of the agency were attacked and maimed by some motorists on the premise that Governor Ambode had directed that no vehicle or motorists should be arrested by LASTMA anymore.

It added that when the Governor met the LASTMA officials alongside operatives of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI and the Vehicle Inspection Service, VIS, on Wednesday, he had said: “Don’t victimise Lagosians, there are more civil ways to control and arrest offenders. From now on, no harassment; you are enforcement officers and not harassment officers, arrest people in a civil manner.”

The statement said the governor also urged the LASTMA officials to embrace the use of technology in effecting arrest of contravened vehicles instead of physical arrest of motorists and vehicles at the scene of incidents.

It further said that the views of the Governor at the event were widely reflected in the media reportage of the event on Thursday.

The State Government warned that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on all erring members of the public who attempt any illegality in terms of obstructing operatives of LASTMA from carrying out their lawful duties.