Commotion as tricycle operators, LASTMA officials clash at Ojota, Lagos

There was a commotion at Ojota, in the outskirts of Lagos as commercial tricycle operators and operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) clashed.

The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr Taofiq Adebayo, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Wednesday.

He said that the LASTMA officials, who were on official duty, were attacked with dangerous weapons, including machetes, iron, broken bottles and local charms.

The incident, which occurred last Sunday, was perpetrated by members of the Ojota Branch of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN).

Adebayo said that other LASTMA officials had to abandon their duty posts when one of them was seriously injured.

He said that the officer, Mr Ajibola Oguntimehin, was injured in his left eye with broken bottles and was currently admitted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

According to Adebayo, a preliminary investigation showed that about 20 TOAN members attacked the LASTMA officers after the former were informed that a Toyota Camry, with number plate FKJ 161 HB, belonging to their newly elected Chairman was impounded for alleged “illegal diversion“.

He said that LASTMA General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, confirmed that the matter had been reported at the Area ‘H’ Police Command, Ogudu, while efforts were on to identify and arrest all those who took part in the attack.

“We are searching for the attackers with information gathered so far by our intelligence unit.

“We will ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law”, Oreagba was quoted as saying.