A routine traffic enforcement operation in Lagos turned violent after a commercial bus conductor allegedly stabbed an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) with a screwdriver.
The incident occurred at Ile-Epo, inward Abule-Egba, along the busy Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, during an operation to clear traffic obstruction caused by a Volkswagen commercial bus.
According to LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the driver of the vehicle resisted enforcement efforts, leading to a confrontation.
In a sudden escalation, the conductor, identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, reportedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the officers, inflicting a stab wound.
The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency treatment and is said to be responding positively.
Following the incident, the suspect was apprehended at the scene and handed over to the police at the Abattoir Division for further investigation.
During preliminary interrogation, Olasunkanmi reportedly admitted to the act, claiming the stabbing was accidental during the altercation.
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Reacting to the attack, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, strongly condemned the growing trend of assaults on traffic officials, warning that such actions would not be tolerated.
He emphasized that any individual found attacking traffic personnel in the line of duty would face the full weight of the law, stressing that LASTMA officers are deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow and enforce compliance with transport regulations.
Bakare-Oki further urged motorists and commercial transport operators to cooperate with traffic authorities and abide by the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, noting that mutual respect and compliance are essential for a safer and more efficient transport system.
The agency also called on transport unions to educate their members on the importance of respecting law enforcement officers, as incidents of violence against traffic officials continue to raise concern across the state.
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