The Lagos State Government has demonstrated a firm stance against criminality and traffic violations following a violent incident involving state officials. The Lagos State Mobile Courts have ordered the remand of six individuals accused of a brutal assault on personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other agencies.
Midnight Operation Erupts in Violence
The crisis unfolded during a coordinated midnight enforcement exercise along the crucial Lagos Airport Road. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, the operation was initiated after a formal complaint from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
FAAN had raised alarms over the persistent and illegal encroachment on its facilities by criminal syndicates and defiant commercial bus operators. In response, a joint task force was assembled, led by LASTMA's General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, and included security operatives, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps, the Lagos State Task Force, and LASTMA field officers.
Court Proceedings and Vehicle Impoundment
During the enforcement, the team faced severe resistance. Seven suspected miscreants carried out a vicious attack, injuring five joint task force officers with dangerous weapons and deliberately setting a LASTMA tow truck ablaze in an attempt to sabotage the operation.
The seven suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court on Tuesday, facing a four-count charge. One suspect pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, while the remaining six were ordered to be remanded in custody. The case has been adjourned for further hearing until February 19, 2026.
Simultaneously, the enforcement operation led to a significant crackdown on traffic offenders. A total of 56 vehicles were impounded for various traffic and environmental infractions. The breakdown of the impounded vehicles is as follows:
- 44 commercial buses
- 5 private vehicles
- 7 trucks
Government Vows Zero Tolerance for Lawlessness
In the aftermath, General Manager Bakare-Oki reiterated the state government's unwavering commitment. He emphasized the resolve to protect critical public infrastructure, ensure the safety of all road users, and maintain law and order across Lagos.
"The government will neither capitulate to intimidation nor tolerate violence from criminal elements," Bakare-Oki warned. He vowed that every act of lawlessness would be met decisively with the full force of the law.
The statement further assured the public that enforcement operations along strategic corridors like the Lagos Airport Road will be continuous, intensified, and conducted within legal boundaries. This ongoing collaboration with sister agencies aims to eradicate criminality, restore public order, and safeguard lives and property in the metropolis.
