Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has arrested two suspected LASTMA Special Traffic Mayors (STM) for illegally detaining a logistics motorcyclist.
The duo Ibrahim Jibril Abu and Olamide Oshin were arrested by a patrol team from LASTMA headquarters on Thursday.
Jibril and Olamide had committed the offense on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at around 12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel bus stop on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way.
LASTMA Deputy Public Affairs Director Filade Olumide, who confirmed the development, said both are currently being questioned by Nigerian police.
He said: “Due to a proper investigation, it was found that Ibrahim Jubril Abu was really a LASTMA STM, he was given another mayor’s reflective jacket number to print a fake identity card for Olamide Oshin to continue fraudulent activities and thereby the mood in the public inciting legitimate officials for traffic management duties.
“Both suspects were handed over to police in Area F.
It is worth noting at this point that the creation of LASTMA STM was a strategy adopted to increase voluntary assistance to authorized traffic personnel in traffic management, as the operational policy of the STMs do not authorize to arrest traffic offenders.
He said the suspects were arrested just as fellow logistics motorcyclists were already gathering at the scene to launch an attack on LASTMA officers.
Keep in mind that there have been incidents in the past of some unscrupulous members of the public impersonating LASTMA personnel.
This is one of those cases that the agency has vowed to handle with the state’s laws.
He pointed out that not long ago, LASTMA Director General Bolaji Oreagba had discovered a fake online publication advertising membership and training to become a special traffic mayor for a fee.
The agency responded promptly, debunking the publication in a press statement and in electronic media.
He also promised the suspects would be prosecuted to deter others with similar intentions.
The general manager urged the public to speak up whenever they see something, rather than attacking government officials who are performing their rightful duties.
He added that the agency is committed to voluntary compliance.
