LAGOS:The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has established it that an official of the agency was brutally attacked and his body set ablàze by a commercial bus driver and his assistant, popularly known as ‘Conductor.’
The agency said the incident occurred at the Cele area inward Mile 2 axis of Lagos, stressing that the attack caused severe bodily harm to the traffic officer as the attackers allegedly laced him with petrol and set the officer on fire while trying to evade arrest for alleged traffic violation.
LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, made this known to Newsmen on Tuesday.
Adebayo said the attack captured in a disturbing video, exposed the driver of a commercial bus, a Volkswagen T4 bus, marked LSD 355 CK, pouring petrol on the LASTMA personnel.
“The altercation occurred Tuesday, November 5, 2024, after LASTMA officials intercepted the vehicle for violating traffic regulations near Cele, heading toward Mile 2.
“The vehicle had been intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.
“In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor erupted into a frenzy, resorting to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against officers present,” he said.
According to Adebayo the injured LASTMA offiicer was quickly evacuated to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment because of the severe burn.
“LASTMA reiterates its unwavering commitment to preserving order and ensuring the safety of Lagos roads, as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018,” he said.
