Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared that all individuals involved in the recent assault on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be brought to justice.
Speaking through his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, during the second Lagos Traffic Conference held to mark LASTMA’s 25th anniversary, Sanwo-Olu assured the public that the government would not tolerate attacks on its personnel.
“Attackers of LASTMA officers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he stated.
The event, themed “Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations”, brought together key stakeholders in transportation and urban mobility. Sanwo-Olu praised the dedication of LASTMA officials, acknowledging their efforts under often risky and difficult conditions.
“I want to specially recognise the men and women of LASTMA who have dedicated themselves, often under challenging and sometimes perilous circumstances, to the critical task of keeping Lagos moving,” he said. “Your uniform represents the thin yellow line that stands firmly between order and chaos on our roads.”
He also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives while serving, reaffirming the state’s commitment to supporting and modernising the agency.
According to the governor, LASTMA of the future will be equipped with smart technologies to meet the evolving demands of traffic control in a fast-growing megacity like Lagos.
“We are investing in intelligent transportation systems powered by Artificial Intelligence, automated number plate recognition, and drone surveillance to enhance traffic management and incident response,” he revealed.
In a keynote presentation, Mr Sridhar Uttara, President of U.S.-based engineering consulting firm Infotran, urged Lagos State to develop a Unified Mobility Control Centre and prioritise the use of Information Technology on major traffic corridors.
“There is also the need to train traffic officers in AI and data tools, invest in smart mobility labs and pilot zones, ensure equity and safety in all projects and invest in research and development,” Uttara recommended.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, highlighted the real challenges facing LASTMA, including public apathy, driver indiscipline, and the pressures of rapid urban growth.
“Officers of LASTMA are on the streets of the state not only to clear bottlenecks, but also to save lives during accidents, coordinate disaster response, and facilitate the movement of goods and services,” he said. “The most concerning is public apathy towards uniformed traffic personnel. These are structural, behavioural and systemic challenges.”
In a goodwill message, Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, described LASTMA as a unique model of public policy, crafted to blend enforcement with public service.
“LASTMA remains the master stroke of public policy in Nigeria. I know some of the dead officers shown—this is when they were trying to make Apapa safe. You need to see these men work, suffering just to keep Lagos moving. They should be appreciated,” Opeifa said.
