Outrage over LASTMA officials driving against traffic

Barely 24 hours after the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, Shola Jejeloye, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), likened driving against traffic (One-way) to attempted murder, some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have been caught driving against traffic (One-Way).

They were caught by a motorist on the Lagos Island.

CSP Jejeloye, during the public auction of vehicles at the Taskforce compound in Alausa, said most of the vehicles auctioned were confiscated for driving against traffic and endangering their lives and that of other Lagosians.

“Some of the individuals who have come here to bid do not know that if we had not confiscated some of these vehicles while committing those offences, they would have killed pedestrians, bidders or other road users who are unaware that there is a vehicle approaching through the wrong side of the road. From our records, 80 per cent of victims hit and run on the roads that were knocked down especially early in the morning were caused by motorists who drove against traffic,” he said.

In a viral video post shared @OmoGbajaBiamila, he wrote “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, your darling LASTMA officials who in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, recently auctioned off people’s vehicles for driving one-way against traffic.
When dem go auction this truck?”
In the video, a motorist was seen accusing the officials with LASTMA vehicle driving against traffic.
He said in pidgin language: “Dem (LASTMA officials) dey follow one-way on top of Third Mainland Bridge. I kon stop dem, dem say make I pass for here. I will not leave here. Oga, (talking to the LASTMA officials), go back ( asking them to reverse and follow the normal route).
One Otaigbe Imadegbelo tagged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his response that the LASTMA vehicle be also auctioned like others.
He wrote: “Hi @Mr_JAGs, when is the next auctioning date… I want to buy this truck for farming ..

“@jidesanwoolu, if you fail to auction this truck then you must resign…”
Simply Dickson said: “Latsma and Oworo police always take that one-way to the bus stop.”
Ololade Shin-Aba said: “Public service rule will apply in this case. The LASTMA official should be sanctioned. The armed forces are the major culprits. I hope they can be checked.”
Nexus Saphire hailed the motorist for his bravery, saying “LASTMA officials breaking the law?!
So shameful! I do commend d guy for standing up to dem n refusing them passage.
Super disappointed other road users didn’t throw in their voices to support him.
This particular group of LASTMA staff should be penalized n the vehicle auctioned off.”
Jay Kay wrote: “That is our reality. A sad one. Those who are meant to uphold law and order are the ones going against the law. They should be fined also.”
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs Unit, Adebayo Taofik, described the LASTMA officials’ action as wrong.
Taofik said they have been summoned to the headquarters for interrogation and disciplinary action.