Don’t Attack LASTMA Officials, Ambode Tells Motorists

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Thursday warned motorists to desist from attacking officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) while performing their legitimate duties.

This is contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna in Lagos.

“The full force of the law will 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 legitimate and lawful duties,” the statement said.

It said that the state government had received reports of attacks on some officials of LASTMA on their legitimate duties.

The statement said this was on the pretext that the governor had, during his meeting with LASTMA officials on Wednesday, directed them to desist from arresting offending motorists.

“In areas like Badagry on Thursday, some officials of the agency were attacked and maimed by some motorists on the premise that Ambode had directed that no vehicle or motorist should be arrested by LASTMA anymore,’’ it said.

According to the statement, the governor did not at any time direct LASTMA officials to stop arrest of contravened vehicles and motorists.

The statement explained that when Ambode met LASTMA officials alongside operatives of KAI and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) on Wednesday, he advised them not to victimise offenders, but “to arrest them in a civil manner’’.

“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 quoted the governor as saying.

It said that the governor also urged the LASTMA officials to embrace the use of technology in effecting arrest of contravened vehicles. (NAN)