Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles during a weekend crackdown on one-way driving, illegal parking and unauthorised garages across Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by LASTMA’s spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, the enforcement operation targeted persistent traffic violations and other activities contributing to congestion and road safety risks across major traffic corridors in the state.
Particular attention was paid to the practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic from Iddo towards Idumota through Cater Bridge, which authorities said posed serious risks to motorists, commuters and pedestrians.
The operation was met with resistance in some locations, with some traffic enforcement personnel reportedly attacked and injured. Several suspected miscreants accused of attacking officers and damaging operational vehicles were also apprehended.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described the operation as necessary to curb persistent traffic violations and restore discipline on critical road corridors.
Bakare-Oki also warned transport operators, commercial bus drivers and other road users against using under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations as illegal garages.
He said the sustained enforcement was aimed at ensuring compliance with traffic regulations and protecting motorists, commuters and pedestrians, stressing that public roads, bridges and under-bridge spaces would not be allowed to be used for illegal loading, parking, vehicle repairs or garage operations.
The agency urged commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to desist from one-way driving, dangerous reversing, illegal parking, indiscriminate loading and the use of unauthorised garages.
Members of the public were also advised to report dangerous driving, traffic obstructions and other violations through the traffic management agency’s toll-free short code, 3367.
