Lagos impounds 9,370 vehicles, records 256 casualties in six months

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has impounded 9,370 vehicles and recorded 256 casualties from January to June 2024.

The vehicles were seized for various alleged traffic violations across the metropolis.

In a fresh enforcement drive, the Traffic Monitoring and Investigation Unit (TMI) of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation impounded 22 vehicles for contravening traffic offences in the Ikeja, Ogba, Billings Way, and Berger areas. According to the State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the enforcement drive aimed to improve traffic management and road safety.

“The offences committed include illegal conversion of laybys and walkways into motor parks, unauthorised stopping on highways, indiscriminate parking, and the use of lay-bys and walkways as showrooms by car dealers, among other violations,” Osiyemi explained.

He reiterated that the enforcement operations will target both commercial and private vehicles that violate the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.

Osiyemi commended the state taskforce for their efforts in enforcing illegal activities of transport operators and urged residents to comply with traffic rules to avoid penalties and contribute to a safer, more orderly traffic system.

Meanwhile, LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed that 3,034 private vehicles were impounded, including 1,849 cars, 549 buses, and 636 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), among others, with 256 casualties recorded during the period.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and respect traffic managers. “In the last six months, it has been a mix of good, bad, and ugly, but we have managed to overcome many challenges, particularly in training and retraining our personnel,” he said.

He revealed that over 900 personnel were trained externally in collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Lagos Command, and more than 1,200 traffic officers received training from three different consultants on leadership skills, emotional intelligence, customer care, and incident management.

“We are undertaking these initiatives to improve our service delivery to Lagos residents. LASTMA aims to rebuild public confidence, particularly in public relations,” Bakare-Oki said.

He announced that the authority’s call centre would be launched soon, accommodating English, Yoruba, and Pidgin to facilitate feedback.